FLORISSANT, Mo. — The Florissant community remembers their neighbor after he was killed in a hit-and-run over the weekend.
The Navy veteran was walking with his dog when it happened.
Rick Alsept, 62, was usually seen every morning picking up trash with his dog Chloe in a stroller along Waterford Drive. Neighbors believe he was doing just that Saturday morning when a driver killed them both and left the scene.
"He was kind, he picked up the trash, he was friendly. Everyone talked to the little dog in the stroller," neighbor Mary Huggins said.
All the neighbors in their Florissant neighborhood knew Alsept as a Navy veteran, who loved his dog and his family dearly. Chief Petty Officer Ricky Dee Alsept (USN, retired) was a father of three and settled into a quiet retirement in north St. Louis County.
"It still hasn't really sunk in that we won't see him anymore," Huggins said. "Slow down, you got to slow down."
Surveillance footage showed Alsept with the stroller near the curb and neighbors believe he was picking up trash when a car slammed into them both. Both Alsept and Chloe died. Surveillance video showed a black car never slowed down and sped off. Karin Anthony is grateful her cameras caught the car.
"That's a human being, that's a living soul, so for someone to not even stop to see what's going on, it's very hurtful," Anthony said. "I hope it helps get the person."
Now, flowers and an American flag sit where Alsept had his last moments. It's a reminder to keep fighting for their friend.
"Justification for him and his family," Anthony said.
On Monday, the Florissant Police Department said Alonzo Johnson, 29, was charged with leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death in connection to the incident.
Police said Johnson was arrested and is being held at the St. Louis County Jail on a $50,000 bond.
Additional charges may be filed once the investigation is complete, according to Florissant police.
"This is an incredibly tragic incident, and our most sincere condolences are with the Alsept family as they grieve their loss," Florissant police said in their post.
Becky Ingmire said she worked with Alsept at the Florissant Walmart and called him her friend.
"He was a door greeter. We would talk all the time and joke around. He was a great guy and treated the customer with respect. He loved his puppy Chloe. That was his baby. He was just an all around great guy," Ingmire told 5 On Your Side.
Right now, neighbors are working to set up a clean-up day in honor of Alsept.
The family has set up a GoFundMe. To help, click here.
