TAMPA, Fla. – The man accused of being responsible for the death of a beloved mailman had his court hearing on Friday afternoon.

Fifty-six-year-old Christopher Prater is facing charges for leaving the scene of a crash resulting in death after evidence linked him to the incident.

According to court documents, Prater was driving with a revoked license, which was the result of multiple convictions for driving with a suspended license, two DUI convictions, and two convictions for refusing to submit to breath, urine, or blood tests.

The Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office argued in a motion that Prater poses a risk to the community based on the charges in this case. Despite having his license revoked, he continued to drive. The State Attorney’s Office motion, which seeks to keep Prater in custody until his case is resolved, was heard at 1:30 p.m. on Friday.

The tragic incident occurred at the intersection of River Cove Street and Mulberry Street in Sulphur Springs, just before 3 p.m. on Monday.

Tampa police stated that 69-year-old mail carrier Paul Falica was driving his truck when it was struck by another vehicle. The impact caused the truck to flip over, resulting in Falica’s death. Thankfully, an anonymous tip led the police to a home half a mile away from the crash scene, where they found the suspected vehicle.

Prater’s son called the police after noticing a car in the driveway that matched the suspect’s vehicle. The car was covered, which was unusual.

Court documents revealed that the owner of the Mercedes-Benz informed the police that he had given Prater the keys for safekeeping but emphasized that nobody had permission to drive the car.

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Prater’s son turned him in after witnessing the car that was allegedly involved in the incident parked in the driveway of Prater’s home. The car was covered, which raised suspicion. Additionally, Prater’s son overheard his father admitting on the phone that he had hit someone and fled the scene. After reviewing security footage, Prater’s son identified his father as the person driving the car.

In a sworn statement to the police, Prater claimed that his roommate was the one driving the car on the day of the crash. He alleged that after returning home, the roommate packed his belongings and left.

Investigators at the scene of the fatal hit-and-run crash.

Prater’s debit card and fingerprints were discovered inside the vehicle. Surveillance footage from a neighboring property showed Prater entering and exiting the car before and after the incident. The video also captured the damaged car being returned to the residence shortly after the crash, with the front bumper hanging off. Approximately 15 minutes later, Prater, as identified in the video, retrieved a car cover from the trunk and requested assistance from a neighbor in covering the vehicle.

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The State Attorney’s Office, in its motion, argued that “There are no conditions of release reasonably sufficient to protect the community from the risk of physical harm to persons. The defendant’s actions indicate a complete disregard for the safety of the community and demonstrate a pattern of behavior that will not be controlled by any court-ordered condition.”

Residents along Falica’s mail route spoke highly of him, describing him as a kind and caring individual.