WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — The family members of a woman who was killed in a hit-and-run incident in West Palm Beach are determined to locate the driver responsible.
The incident occurred shortly before 3 a.m. on Sunday when 55-year-old Penelope Kenyon was crossing Belvedere Road with her step-brother, traveling from the Wawa gas station to the IHOP.
Jennifer Shipley, Kenyon’s daughter, recounted the events leading up to the tragedy. “My uncle heard the sound of the car engines revving, so he called out to her, urging her to hurry,” Shipley said.
According to the police, Kenyon was struck by a car that did not stop at the scene.
“All I want is to have the chance to say goodbye, hug her, and kiss her,” Shipley expressed.
By the time Shipley received news of her mother being hospitalized, it was already too late. Kenyon had tragically passed away during surgery, mere hours after the incident.
“It was around 7:20 – 7:30 in the morning when my younger brother sent me a random text saying, ‘Mom’s dead.’ I was taken aback and dropped to the floor in shock,” Shipley recalled. “I have absolutely no closure.”
Shipley conveyed that her entire family is devastated and actively seeking answers and justice.
“You have taken our mother’s life, something that can never be returned, and nobody has the right to play god,” Shipley asserted.
The West Palm Beach Police Department Traffic Homicide Unit investigators have gathered evidence from the scene and determined that the vehicle involved was a black Cadillac ATS or CT4. The car is expected to have damage to its front right corner and is missing the passenger side mirror.
Shipley remains hopeful that, with the assistance of the community, they will be able to locate the person responsible.
“I simply hope that justice is served, truly. On behalf of my mom, she didn’t deserve this,” Shipley said.
The police have obtained video footage of the crash, but it has not yet been released to the public.
To honor Kenyon’s memory, the family will hold a vigil outside the IHOP on Friday night at 8 p.m.
