ST. PETERSBURG, FL – A Toyota Camry driver declined to pull over for a Florida Highway Patrol trooper and fled the scene, leading to a multi-auto crash that injured six people and claimed one life.
The events unfolded before 3 a.m. Saturday, when for reasons unclear, the Toyota Camry had drifted across several lanes on U.S. 19 South near Seville Boulevard, IONTB.com reports. The trooper saw what occurred, prompting their curiosity regarding why that happened. So when they went to inquire, the Camry driver continued driving away, which began the pursuit.
The chase ended when the Camry struck a Toyota Tundra and a box truck waiting at the 34th Street North and 38th Avenue intersection after attempting to avoid hitting a turning big rig coming from eastbound 38th and entering 34th.
After first responders arrived at the scene, they took all four Camry occupants and, the box truck driver, and Toyota Tundra motorist, and the Tundra passenger to a hospital. There, one of the Camry passengers passed away from fatal wounds, while the surviving passengers were set to receive treatment for non-life-threatening wounds.
Florida Highway Patrol has not confirmed the age and gender of the person who passed away but certified that the Camry individuals who made it out alive are between ages 18 and 20. They are working to pinpoint who was behind the wheel.
FHP does not publicly release the names of people involved in crashes but did certify that the Tundra was driven by a 46-year-old man from St. Petersburg, who was accompanied by a 73-year-old adult, whose gender was not specified, and indicated that the box truck was operated by a 33-year-old man from Davenport.
As it stands, no criminal charges have been sought.
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