On Wednesday, June 9th, 2021, at approximately 5:23 a.m., officers from the Pinellas Park Police Department responded to a single-vehicle crash in the 9000 block of 49th Street N.
It was reported several occupants were trapped within the vehicle that had struck a palm tree in the center median. The collision caused a small fire from the vehicle and all five occupants were trapped in the SUV.
A group of citizens stopped and extinguished the small fire and assisted with removing the occupants from the vehicle. The five occupants were transported to local hospitals with serious injuries.
Through the investigation, it was learned the Nissan Rogue was traveling south on 49th St at a high rate of speed. The vehicle drifted from the lane of travel for unknown reasons and struck the raised concrete median before hitting a palm tree.
Investigators located a stolen handgun and narcotics within the vehicle. No other vehicles were involved in this crash.
The driver has been identified as 20 year-old Michail Gaddy of St. Petersburg. One passenger was identified as 18 year-old Amahri Lweis of St. Petersburg. The remaining three passengers included two 17 year-old males and one 15 year-old female.
This investigation is still active and criminal charges are pending. If there are any witnesses to this incident, please contact the Pinellas Park Police Department at 727-369-7864.
All north and southbound lanes of 49th St were closed for several hours and traffic diverted at 94th Ave and 86th Ave.
