The Hanceville man charged in connection with a hit-and-run wreck that killed a Good Hope woman outside her home last month remained behind bars Thursday. 

Alabama State Troopers charged Larry Surrett, 58, with felony leaving the scene of an accident, tampering with evidence and driving while license revoked. The victim, Helen Virginia Duke, 75, was found dead near her mailbox on Schwaiger Road by family who were there to visit her for lunch on Mother’s Day, May 14. 

Surrett was arrested following a traffic homicide investigation which concluded he was driving a 1999 Ford Expedition when he struck and killed Duke, according to the troopers news release. He remained in the Cullman County Detention Center Thursday with a $24,000 cash bond, Sheriff Matt Gentry said. 

Surrett’s criminal history showed 21 separate traffic violations — including eight citations for driving with a revoked license, two for driving with a suspended license and one for driving without a license. His most recent traffic violation was for driving while revoked May 6, 2016, and he pleaded guilty, court records show.

While he’s charged with fleeing the scene of an accident, some questioned why Surrett wasn’t charged with killing Duke, and it’s not clear if the case will be presented to a Cullman County grand jury. 

Under Alabama law, he could face felony criminally negligent homicide, but that’s only if authorities can prove he was under the influence of drugs or alcohol when the wreck occurred. It’s not clear if any biological samples were collected from Surrett as a part of the investigation, and if so, when, since his arrest comes two and a half weeks after the deadly wreck. 

In 2014, the Alabama Legislature repealed the law related to vehicular homicide. Previously someone who struck and killed or seriously injured another person while violating any local ordinance or state law regarding driving could be charged with homicide or first-degree assault if the victim survived.

Now, a driver involved in a wreck that kills or injures someone must be found to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs to be charged with criminally negligent homicide, a Class C felony. Otherwise, it’s a misdemeanor offense. 

Tiffeny Owens can be reached at 256-734-2131, ext. 135.