Two Injured After Their Vehicle Crashes Into a House in Unincorporated Largo, Homeowner Not Injured

Crews from Largo Fire and Rescue along with City of Seminole Fire Rescue responded to reports of a structure collapse at approximately 4:40 a.m. on Friday, March 1, 2019.

The crash occurred near the intersection of Wild Acres Road and 126th Avenue in unincorporated Largo.

The crews were able to locate a vehicle, a 2013 Hyundai Equus, that traveled through a fence, across a neighbors yard and into the corner of a home located at 8277 125th Circle North.

Both male occupants were extricated from the vehicle and transported to Bayfront Health St. Petersburg.

According to troopers, 30 year-old Mario Velasquez of Largo was traveling eastbound on 126th Avenue and failed to stop at the intersection of Wild Acres Road. He continued through the intersection, struck several warning signs, a fence, and trees before entering a ditch. The Hyundai then traveled along the south embankment of the ditch and began to overturn through another fence and into a home.

Velasquez and his passenger, 22 year-old John Penalver of Belleair, were transported as trauma alerts to Bayfront Health St. Petersburg. According to investigators, their injuries are being described as minor.

The male occupant of the home. George Howe, was awake at the time of the crash drinking his morning coffee. He heard the impact from the crash and described the pictures on the wall shaking. He immediately called 911 which prompted the large rescue response.  The vehicle struck the back corner of the home in an unoccupied bedroom.

The Florida Highway Patrol is on-scene investigating the crash.

Velasquez was cited for driving with a suspended license and running a stop sign. Trooper say alcohol was not a factor in this crash and both occupants were wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash.

Within the past two years, another vehicle crashed through the same part of the fence into Howe’s neighbors home.  Howe states there have been five crashes at the same intersection since 2008.  He continues to advocate with Pinellas County officials about making changes at the intersection.

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