TAMPA, Fla. — The man accused of killing a longtime mailman appeared in court Wednesday.

Christopher Prater, 56, will be held without bond.

Prater has a court appointed attorney and will be back in court later this week.

Prater has been charged with leaving the scene of a crash with death and driving while license canceled, suspended or revoked.

The crash happened Monday afternoon at the intersection of River Cove Street and North Mulberry Street. The postal carrier, identified as 69-year-old Paul Falica, was pronounced dead at the scene, according to police.

Police said investigators received an anonymous tip that Prater may have been involved in the hit-and-run. While following up on the tip, police contacted Prater at home in the 8400 block of North 16th Street, where they also found the suspected vehicle parked in the driveway.

According to police, Prater told investigators that his roommate had been driving the vehicle but was no longer in the area. The owner of the vehicle told investigators that he parked the vehicle at the location a few days before, but that he didn’t give anyone permission to drive it. The owner also told investigators he gave Prater the keys to keep at the home in case the vehicle had to be moved.

Fingerprints matching Prater’s were found in the vehicle, according to police. Investigators said a debit card with Prater’s name on it was also found inside the vehicle.

The crash happened Monday afternoon at the intersection of River Cove Street and North Mulberry Street. The postal carrier, identified as 69-year-old Paul Falica, was pronounced dead at the scene, according to police. (Sky 9)

Police said investigators also obtained surveillance video that showed Prater getting into the vehicle before the crash and then returning the vehicle with front-end damage.

Prater was arrested Tuesday and taken to Falkenburg Road Jail.

“I hope this swift arrest will provide a small sense of closure for the Falica family, as well as the extended family from the US Postal Service, as they all continue to navigate this tragedy,” Police Chief Lee Bercaw said in a statement.

A memorial for Falica has been set up near the site of the crash. According to those who knew him, the postal carrier loved his job—a job he had been doing for more than 30 years.

“Wasn’t interested in retirement, even though he could have retired almost 10 years ago,” said Brian Obst, president of the National Association of Letter Carriers Branch 599. “He wasn’t interested in retiring. He liked what he did, and he expected to continue doing it.”