ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (BNc)- Heather Whalley died from her injuries Saturday night, Apr. 12, after a vehicle hit her and her husband Seth from behind.

Van that hit Seth and Heather Whalley Her husband remains in Bayfront Medical Center in fair condition.

The North Carolina couple was walking on the sidewalk when a vehicle jumped the curb and hit them from behind, police said. The vehicle ended up hitting a palm tree and rolling onto its side.

The accident occurred 11:23 a.m. Thursday, Apr. 10.

Seth, a chemist, his wife, and the couple’s three children – two girls, ages 3 and 12, and a 9-year-old boy – were visiting Heather’s mother in St. Pete Beach, Aaron Whalley, Seth’s brother, said.

The family belong to the Lake Norman congregation in Charlotte, N.C.

The van went up on the curb and started traveling along the sidewalk before striking the couple, throwing them 44 feet, investigators said.

An e-mail Monday to the Lake Norman congregation said Seth is “alert, awake and now off the ventilator and breathing on his own.” He could be released early next week, reported the Charlotte Observer.

The van’s driver, Aaron Rimar of St. Pete Beach, was treated and released. Records show he’s been charged with about 20 traffic citations in the past, according to media reports in Florida. Charges against the driver are pending investigation.

BNc reported the accident yesterday and learned just today of Heather’s death.

The couple’s three children were not present when the accident occurred.

BNc hopes to publish Heather’s obituary shortly.

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