ST. PETE BEACH — Deputies from the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, assigned to the Major Accident Investigation Team (MAIT), are investigating a crash involving a pedestrian that left a woman with life-threatening injuries on Wednesday night.
According to investigators, the incident occurred on March 25, 2026, at approximately 9:09 p.m., near the intersection of Gulf Boulevard and 44th Avenue. Deputies said 56-year-old Paula Poe was found lying along the southbound curb with injuries consistent with being struck by a motor vehicle.
The suspect vehicle was seen traveling southbound on Gulf Boulevard, leaving debris in the roadway.
Deputies later located the vehicle, identified as a 2019 Cadillac Escalade, in a hotel parking lot in Tierra Verde. Investigators identified the driver as 43-year-old Margaret Barah Gardner (Smith).
Authorities said Gardner showed signs of impairment and performed poorly on field sobriety tests. She was arrested and charged with driving under the influence, refusal to submit to testing, and leaving the scene of a crash with serious bodily injury.
Gardner was transported to the Pinellas County Jail.
Poe was taken to a hospital with life-threatening injuries and remains in critical condition.
Next of kin has been notified.
The investigation remains ongoing.