WEST PALM BEACH, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (Copyright © 2026 MetroDesk Media, LLC) — A West Palm Beach woman has been arrested nearly six months after Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office investigators say she struck and killed a pedestrian with her car, then drove away from the scene. Beatrice Telisca, 31, was taken into custody on July 31 in connection with the January 24 crash that killed 26-year-old Gage Chidester at the intersection of Jog Road and Okeechobee Boulevard. PBSO shared arrest information with BocaNewsNow.com on Saturday evening.
According to PBSO, the crash happened just after 10:25 p.m. as Telisca drove her 2022 Nissan Altima north on Jog Road approaching the Okeechobee Boulevard intersection. Investigators say Chidester was crossing Jog Road westbound in the marked crosswalk, but against the signal, when the light ahead of Telisca turned yellow and she accelerated. Chidester ran into the path of the Altima, and the front right of the car struck him, throwing him onto the fender and windshield. His head hit the windshield near the roofline before he came off the vehicle and landed in the northbound right lane, deputies say.
PBSO says Telisca’s car then ran over Chidester, who was pronounced dead at the scene. Rather than stop, investigators say Telisca slowed briefly and then continued driving north, leaving the scene of the fatal crash. Deputies later located her at her West Palm Beach home, where she gave a sworn statement admitting she was behind the wheel.
Chidester, who PBSO records list as homeless, was pronounced dead on scene. His next of kin has been notified.
