Pinellas County

April 10, 2024

News: Woman, 75, in critical condition after Clearwater hit-and-run

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

CLEARWATER, FL – A 75-year-old woman was left with critical, life-threatening injuries after she was struck by a driver of a dark-colored SUV who fled the scene Tuesday.

WFLA said this collision happened before 8:45 p.m. in the 1800 block of Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard along Rumba Island Bar & Grill. Upon arrival, an ambulance took the woman to a local hospital, where she is recovering.

Clearwater Police started an investigation but do not have additional details at this time. They advise who has any information on this collision, or the suspect is urged to contact the department at the phone number listed in the initial source.

March 19, 2024

News: Jet ski operator fatally hits sandbar in Pinellas Co.

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

PINELLAS COUNTY, FL – A 60-year-old man was thrown from his Sea-Doo personal watercraft and died after he crashed into a sandbar Saturday.

This jet ski collision happened near Caladesi Island near the Dunedin Causeway, according to ABC Action News. First responders took the man — Gary Nolan — to a hospital for treatment of face lacerations, where he was later declared deceased.

The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office started an investigation and confirmed that impairment did not play a role in this crash.

February 27, 2024

News: U-turn leads to Oldsmar crash that claims motorcyclist’s life

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

OLDSMAR, FL – A 73-year-old man tried to make a U-turn at a junction and collided with a motorcycle, leading the motorcyclist to die from his wounds Sunday.

This collision occurred after 9:30 a.m. at the Tampa Road and Oak Leaf Boulevard intersection, according to WFLA. Authorities said the 73-year-old drove west on Tampa while the motorcyclist, who operated a 2012 Kawasaki Ninja motorcycle, traveled east. The bike was right in front of the 2006 gold Cadillac, leading them to collide.

First responders took the motorcyclist to a hospital, where he died. The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office only identified him as a 20-year-old man and has not released his name at this time.

February 26, 2024

News: Driver fatally hits male pedestrian along Campbell Park

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

ST. PETERSBURG, FL – A man walking along Campbell Park died after he was struck by a driver purposefully, St. Petersburg Police revealed Monday.

This crash happened before 2:45 a.m. at the 7th Avenue South and 12th Street South junction, FOX 13 News indicated. Police said the pedestrian — 35-year-old Taiwan James Gland — died at the scene.

Gland was the father of an 18-year-old adult who passed away in a shooting along the Citrus Grove Apartments.

February 22, 2024

News: Largo man loses life in Pinellas Park auto-pedestrian crash

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

PINELLAS PARK, FL – A 66-year-old man from Largo walked along a marked crosswalk and was hit by a sedan, leading to his death Tuesday.

This crash occurred around 9 p.m. at the Park Boulevard and 76th Street North junction, WTSP reported.

The driver remained at the scene, and officials confirmed they believed the motorist was not impaired or speeding at the time of the collision.

February 19, 2024

News: Kia Forte driver fatally hits cyclist in Pinellas Park

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

PINELLAS PARK, FL – A bicyclist was taken to a hospital where they died after they were struck by a Kia Forte in the 6500 block 66th Street North Sunday.

This crash happened before 12:30 a.m. when the Kia Forte driver struck the front of the bicycle, according to ABC Action News.

The driver remained at the scene and will not be facing charges or citations at this time.

February 14, 2024

News: Male driver, 27, loses life in Seminole crash with fence, pond

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

SEMINOLE, FL – A 27-year-old man driving a 2016 Mazda sedan lost his life after he crashed into a fence and then stopped near a retention pond along Walsingham Park Sunday.

This collision happened after 4 p.m. at the 102nd Avenue and Botanica Drive junction, according to Fox 13 News.

The driver and sole occupant — 27-year-old Taylor Titus — was rushed to an area hospital where he died.

February 12, 2024

News: 1 hurt, 1 life claimed in Tarpon Springs car-motorcycle wreck

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

TARPON SPRINGS, FL – A 20-year-old man operating a 2018 Suzuki motorcycle was seriously hurt, and his passenger, a 21-year-old woman, died after his bike collided with an SUV.

This collision happened in the 39000 block of U.S. Highway 19 before 8 p.m. Friday along AL Anderson Park. According to ABC Action News, the events of this crash unfolded when the driver of the 2021 Chevrolet Equinox struck the motorcycle.

The passengers from Chevrolet were uninjured, and the motorist — 30-year-old Kayliegh McLiesh — was also unharmed, while the 21-year-old woman from the bike — Alina Faillios Chavez, 21 from Holiday — died at the scene.

February 8, 2024

News: Injury auto accident blocks High Point intersection

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

CLEARWATER, FL – A collision that resulted in injuries is currently blocking the Roosevelt Boulevard and 62nd Street intersection in the High Point neighborhood.

Florida Highway Patrol was made aware of this crash at approximately 5:22 p.m. and arrived at the site at 5:33 p.m. Troopers are investigating the events that led to this incident. They have not specified the severity of injuries sustained or indicated the kind of people and vehicles involved.

Updates will be provided as they become available.

February 2, 2024

News: Fiery plane crash in Clearwater claims 3 lives

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

CLEARWATER, FL – Two people and a pilot lost their lives after a small plane crashed into a mobile home park complex, leading the plane to catch fire Thursday.

Several fire responders arrived at the scene — which happened near U.S. Highway 19 — before 7:30 p.m., according to WTSP. The two people who lost their lives were inside the mobile home, along with several others, at the time of the collision. It is not exactly clear what led the pilot to crash into the home. This home, along with three others, were destroyed.

One person from the mobile home was injured but declined medical treatment.