St. Petersburg

January 23, 2025

News: Man, 37, critically hurt in DUI crash in St. Pete

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

ST. PETERSBURG, FL – A 37-year-old man was taken to Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital in critical condition after he was struck by an impaired driver on Dali Boulevard SE Wednesday.

Prior to the crash, the DUI motorist was speeding while driving a red minivan and lost control of his vehicle, ABC Action News said. The man merged into two bicycle lanes and struck a statue, a light pole, and the 37-year-old man.

The St. Petersburg Police Department said the victim was taking down flags for a Grand Prix monument when he was struck.

January 3, 2025

News: Motorcyclist, 18, dies following multi-vehicle wreck on I-275 on Howard Frankland Bridge

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

ST. PETERSBURG, FL – An 18-year-old Ohio resident died following a collision Friday morning, January 3, while operating a motorcycle on Interstate 275 near St. Petersburg, according to News Channel 8.

The fatal wreck unfolded on a span of I-275 that runs on the Howard Frankland Bridge, prompting an emergency response at around. 6:44 a.m.

Officials say the victim, of Greenville, Ohio, was traveling northbound on a motorcycle when he and another motorist in an SUV collided as they approached a Road Ranger pickup truck stopped in the roadway. The initial impact caused the motorcycle to strike a barrier wall, which ejected the rider and sent him into the back of the Road Ranger’s pickup. Meanwhile, the motorcycle struck a second parked vehicle before coming to a stop.

December 31, 2024

News: Driver killed in St. Pete crash after fleeing PCSO traffic stop

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

ST. PETERSBURG, FL – A 30-year-old Seminole man died early Monday, December 30, when a police pursuit led to a crash in St. Petersburg, according to FOX 13 Tampa Bay.

The Florida Highway Patrol said Pinellas County deputies had attempted to pull over the man, who was driving a 2023 Dodge Charger, for a window tint violation.

Officials indicated that a pursuit ensued when the driver failed to stop. He was later observed driving recklessly and at a high rate of speed near Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Street North and 7th Avenue South.

December 12, 2024

News: Male motorcyclist, 21, fatally hit by semi in St. Pete

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

ST. PETERSBURG, FL – A 21-year-old male motorcyclist passed away after colliding with a semi-truck pursuing a turn in front of him along HCA Florida Northside Hospital last Friday, Dec. 6.

This collision took place around 2:45 p.m. at the intersection of 49th Street North and 58th Avenue North, WFLA reports. Additional details showed that the motorcyclist, operating a Suzuki motorcycle, was traveling south on 49th Street when the wreck took place.

After emergency crews arrived, they rushed the biker to a nearby hospital, where he later died and confirmed the truck driver, a 39-year-old man, a Mulberry resident, was unharmed.

November 1, 2024

News: St. Pete crews clear nearly 400K of debris after Helene, Milton

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

ST. PETERSBURG, FL – City of St. Petersburg crews have been hard at work in restoring the city, having cleared nearly 400,000 thousand cubic yards of debris following hurricanes Helene and Milton.

According to WMNF, there is one million cubic yards of debris that needs to be cleared. To date, officials removed a third of the debris, flood-ruined drywall and flooring, and plant and tree debris.

Debris clearance numbers change daily. Our news team will continue to provide updates as new developments come to light.

October 25, 2024

News: St. Pete residents sell homes with flood damage after Millton

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

ST. PETERSBURG, FL – Dozens of residents are waiting to sell, or have already sold their homes, despite damage brought on by the flood caused by Hurricane Milton.

A report from 10 Tampa Bay indicates that people who are waiting to sell their homes are anticipating an estimate for how much repairs will cost, and are waiting on claims to process and for crews to clear the debris.

A recent account from Pinellas County’s Resident Damage Assessment for the city of St. Petersburg shows that 65 homes have been destroyed, 770 have received significant damage, 2,412 homes have sustained minor damage, and 1,658 homes have been impacted by Milton.

October 14, 2024

News: 65 St. Pete homes destroyed in Hurricane Milton

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

ST. PETERSBURG, FL – Since Hurricane Milton made landfall last Wednesday, records show that a total of 65 homes have been destroyed and 762 homes were significantly damaged.

This information comes from the Pinellas County Residential Damage Assessment for Hurricane Milton, which also indicates that 2,276 homes sustained minor damage.

Images from NBC News also highlights some examples of affected homes in the Twin City Mobile Home Park, including two mobile homes with significant damages to the roofs, which were either completely or nearly knocked to the ground. One completely totaled home was shown with a large tree leaning against it, and building debris, including a large amount of plywood, scattered about. Another home could be seen with its door frames, flooring, and walls torn apart.

October 10, 2024

News: St. Pete’s Tropicana Field roof totaled by Hurricane Milton

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

ST. PETERSBURG, FL – Even Tropicana Field Stadium’s roof panels were no match for the dangerous Hurricane Milton, as most were torn apart due to the 101 mph winds.

According to Fox 13 News, the winds were strong enough to break through the fiberglass, only sparing two roof panels.

Tropicana Field, while home to Major League Baseball’s Tampa Bay Rays year round, was set to become a temporary housing shelter and evacuation center for St. Petersburg residents. However, due to some concerns about the structural integrity, authorities who okayed the set-up soon called off this project.

October 9, 2024

News: Plane lands in Tampa Bay, sending 3 men to hospital

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

ST. PETERSBURG, FL – Three men, between the ages of 25 to 40, had to go to the hospital after their plane crashed and submerged into Tampa Bay waters Tuesday.

St. Petersburg Fire Rescue told Tampa Bay Times that the four passengers were coming from Albert Whitted Airport, located in downtown St. Petersburg, when their Cherokee private plane, experienced a mechanical failure, causing the plane to descend from the sky.

Immediately after the plane submerged, a good samaritan operating a boat saw what unfolded and rushed to the aid of the four passengers and their small dog, rescuing them all from the area.

October 8, 2024

News: Officials investigate Bay Pines Blvd. crash in St. Pete

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

ST. PETERSBURG, FL – Pinellas County officials are investigating the circumstances behind a Friday afternoon crash on Bay Pines Boulevard East that prompted closures.

First responders announced this collision and closure around 12:56 p.m., WTSP and a Pinellas Traffic X post revealed. All lanes have reopened since.

12:56 PM, Oct 04 2024,