St. Petersburg — A fatal traffic crash occurred on Saturday, December 27, 2025, at approximately 9:30 p.m. at the intersection of N Frontage Road and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Street North.
According to investigators, a silver Mitsubishi Outlander was traveling northbound on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Street North and entered the intersection with a steady green traffic signal. A blue Dodge Charger, operated by 31-year-old Izell Shelby of St. Petersburg, was traveling westbound on N Frontage Road at a high rate of speed and failed to stop for a red traffic signal. The Dodge Charger struck the Mitsubishi in the intersection.
Shelby, who was heavily entrapped in the vehicle, was transported to Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital in St. Petersburg, where he was pronounced dead.
The driver of the Mitsubishi and her three passengers were also transported to Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital. All sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
Before the crash, an officer from the St. Petersburg Police Department noticed Shelby diving recklessly in the area of 4th Street and Gandy Boulevard. That officer did not pursue the Charger and requested that other officers and the agencies “BOLO” for the vehicle. The Charger struck a vehicle on Gandy Boulevard in front of WinDerby, before continuing westbound until it hit the Mitsubishi.
Investigators stated that speed and lack of proper safety belt use appear to be contributing factors in the crash.
Shelby was later found to have an active warrant and a suspended Florida driver’s license for failure to appear in court for a previous citation for driving with a suspended license.
The crash remains under investigation.