APOLLO BEACH, Fla. – The Apollo Beach community of Waterset is turning grief into action following the tragic death of 16-year-old Alexa “Lexi” Jewel Ringo, a high-achieving student and community volunteer who was killed in a DUI crash the day after Christmas.
Lexi was identified by family and neighbors as the passenger who died Friday evening when a pickup truck, driven by 21-year-old Dominic Frye, ran a stop sign at the intersection of Covington Garden Drive and 30th Street Northeast. Investigators say Frye struck the sedan driven by Lexi’s mother.
Frye was arrested at the scene and charged with DUI Manslaughter. While the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office has condemned the “reckless decision” to drive impaired, residents say the tragedy at this specific intersection was preventable and long overdue for safety improvements.
“We Need Immediate Action”
In the wake of the crash, neighbors mobilized quickly. A petition organized by Waterset residents garnered more than 700 signatures in less than 24 hours, calling on county commissioners to intervene before another life is lost.
Residents argue that the neighborhood streets are being treated as high-speed shortcuts between Highway 41, U.S. 301, and 19th Street.
“People plow through this intersection daily,” the petition states. “Our streets were not designed for this level of traffic or speed, and residents—especially children—are paying the price.”
The community is demanding specific infrastructure changes, including the installation of a roundabout at the fatal intersection, emergency vehicle-friendly speed tables, and increased patrol presence.
A “Bright Light” Extinguished
According to a GoFundMe page, Lexi was a standout figure in her community with a future in medicine. She was a Junior Class President, ranked fifth in her class of over 300 students, and had already completed a 30-hour online course for Harvard Medical School. She aspired to attend the University of Florida to become an orthopedic surgeon.
Beyond academics, Lexi was the MVP of the East Bay Girls Golf Team and a dedicated volunteer, logging over 600 service hours with organizations like the First Tee Golf Program and Sarasota Memorial Hospital.
Her family shared that despite the traumatic nature of the crash, Lexi was not alone in her final moments. Her mother stayed by her side in the street and the ambulance, and her father arrived at the hospital before she was pronounced dead.
“The family wants Lexi’s accomplishments and character never to be overshadowed by this tragedy,” the fundraising page says. “They want her to continue being a bright light in this world, even though she is no longer in it.”
Proceeds from the fundraiser will go toward a scholarship for future medical students who embody Lexi’s commitment to service and leadership.
As the community mourns, the pressure mounts on local officials to address the traffic concerns. “No more lives should be lost due to preventable dangers,” the residents’ statement concluded. “Safer streets for Waterset—now.”
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