ST. PETERSBURG — Detectives have arrested a suspect in connection with a hit-and-run crash that caused significant damage to a St. Petersburg home and ignited a fire early Monday morning.
Police identified the suspect as 37-year-old Kendric Dennard Stephens, who was taken into custody following the investigation into the crash at 4434 14th Avenue South.
The incident occurred at approximately 3:00 a.m. on June 8 when a Honda Accord crashed into a residence and caught fire. The occupants of the home evacuated safely and were not injured, but the home sustained significant structural damage. A vehicle parked at the residence was also damaged.
St. Petersburg Police had previously released surveillance video showing the driver fleeing the scene on foot and asked for the public’s assistance in identifying the suspect.
As part of the investigation, detectives have clarified that the Honda Accord was not stolen. Police said the vehicle belonged to a family member of Stephens and had been incorrectly identified as stolen during the initial stages of the investigation.
Stephens has been charged with:
- Leaving the scene of a crash involving property damage
- Driving while license suspended, canceled, or revoked
- Violation of probation
No additional information has been released regarding the circumstances leading up to the crash.
The investigation remains ongoing.