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Pedestrian and bicyclist hit, killed in St. Pete
Justin Matthews reports.
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - A 21-year-old driver was charged after a vehicle crash on Saturday afternoon in St. Petersburg left a pedestrian and a bicyclist dead.
According to the St. Petersburg Police Department, a Toyota Corolla and a Mazda sedan crashed on 4th Street North at 72nd Avenue North around 2:15 p.m.
Police say Owen Gardner Whittaker from Holiday, Fl was driving the Corolla north on 4th Street North. The Mazda was driving south on the same road and entered the left turn lane to turn left onto 72nd Avenue North, according to officials.
Police at scene of crash that claimed the lives of a bicyclist and a pedestrian in St. Petersburg.
Authorities say the light turned red, and the Mazda tried to make the turn as Whittaker ran the red light and hit the Mazda.
Upon impact, police say the Corolla left the roadway and struck a 62-year-old St. Petersburg man while he was riding his bicycle and a 62-year-old St. Petersburg woman who was walking.
Whittaker also hit a light pole and a crosswalk signal.
SPPD says the pedestrian was taken to Bayfront Health St. Petersburg and later died from her injuries.
The bicyclist died at the scene, according to Fire Rescue.
St. Pete police investigating fatal crash.
Neither driver was injured, according to police.
Officials have not released the names of the victims.
SPPD says Owen Gardner Whittaker was charged with two counts of vehicular homicide and was taken to the Pinellas County Jail.
Courtesy: Pinellas County Sheriff's Office
"It’s really an unfortunate situation where the two people on the sidewalk were trying to do the right thing and cross the street at the right time, they just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time when the crash occurred," said Sgt. Michael Schade, St. Petersburg Police Department.
The investigation is ongoing, according to authorities.