Officers from the St. Petersburg Police Department continue investigating a crash that left a pedestrian dead and a motorcyclist with serious injuries.
The crash occurred on Sunday, January 29, 2023, at approximately 12:35 a.m.
Based on preliminary information, an adult male was operating his motorcycle southbound on 28th Street North when he struck a pedestrian near 110th Avenue North.
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The pedestrian, 13-year-old Ethan Martin died at the scene from his injuries. The motorcycle driver was transported to Bayfront Health St. Petersburg with serious injuries. As of Monday morning he is listed in critical but stable condition.
Martin was walking across 28th Street North from east to west towards where a group was gathered.
Investigators determined a second person, Erick Borlasca, was injured after the motorcycle crashed into Ethan Martin.
Borlasca sustained serious injury and transported himself to a local hospital.
He is in stable condition.
According to SPPD, on Wednesday, February 8, 2023, Johnny Julio Martin, age 35, the father of the 13-year-old has been arrested.
Investigators from SPPD say that a crowd had gathered on 28th Street North near 110th Avenue North for illegal street racing.
Johnny Julio Martin brought his son Ethan to attend the event. The teen crossed 28th Street into the path of a motorcycle traveling in excess of 100 m.p.h. The father went to the other side of the street and the child went to cross the road to be with him.
Martin was charged with Child Neglect (Felony) resulting in a the death and Street Racing as a Spectator (moving violation citation)
During the investigation, the street remained closed between 102nd Avenue North to 118th Avenue.