One person died and two others were injured in a two-vehicle collision at 22nd Avenue South and 34th Street in St. Petersburg early Saturday morning.
According to authorities, at about 3:30 a.m. Saturday, a 2010 Audi A4 was traveling southbound on 34th Street South. A 2000 Ford SUV was also headed southbound on 34th Street, and had stopped for the traffic signal at 22nd Avenue South.
The Audi was traveling at a high rate of speed and failed to stop. It slammed into the rear end of the Ford SUV, propelling the Ford into a 2006 Honda, which was also was stopped for the red traffic signal.
The Ford caught fire. The driver was pulled out of the vehicle by a passerby as the interior went up in flames.
All three drivers were taken to Bayfront Health St. Petersburg for treatment. The Audi driver was pronounced dead at the hospital. The other two drivers were treated for non-life threatening injuries.
Speed was a factor in the severity of the crash, according to police. It is unknown at this time if the Audi driver was impaired – toxicology reports are pending.
Speeding is one of the top causes of auto accidents. Speed limits exist for a reason – to keep those sharing the roadways safe. Engineers consider many factors when determining posted speed limits, such as the roads characteristics, shoulder conditions, grade, etc. The numbers they come up with matter and are heavily researched, which is why drivers should obey these rules. Sadly, many drivers ignore speed limits, which is why countless auto accidents occur each year that result in injuries or deaths.
Anyone who causes harm to others due to speeding can be held liable for all damages the victim(s) suffer. Our St. Pete Auto Accident Injury Lawyers at Whittel & Melton understand that car accidents are terrifying tragedies that can result in severe damages and injuries to those involved. Accidents that are caused by another driver’s negligence can only intensify these situations. We can immediately investigate the cause of your crash and identify all crucial pieces of evidence that can determine exactly what happened.
Reckless drivers must be held accountable for their actions to prevent future accidents. Let us help you today – call us at 727-823-0000 or contact us online for a free consultation.