Deputies assigned to the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office Major Accident Investigation Team responded to a deadly crash Tuesday evening.
The crash occurred at approximately 9:20 p.m. on Tuesday, July 16, 2024, on Bay Pines Boulevard and 100th Way.
A witness to the crash indicated that the driver of a 2015 Ford F150 pickup collided with the rear of a 2001 yellow Ford Mustang at a high speed at Bay Pines Boulevard and 100th Way.
According to investigators, numerous vehicles were stopped for a red light in the eastbound lanes of Bay Pines Boulevard at 100th Way North.
43-year-old Joshua Kohlbecker, was traveling eastbound in the Ford F150 on Bay Pines Boulevard at a high rate of speed. Kohlbecker failed to stop and struck a yellow Ford Mustang, occupied by a driver, 26-year-old Ernie Aganlog, and a passenger, 53-year-old Rosario Malicon.
The impact caused a chain reaction, and the Mustang was projected forward, striking two vehicles. These two vehicles were pushed into five additional vehicles stopped at the red light.
There were multiple occupants in the seven additional vehicles involved; however, there were no serious injuries.
The initial impact of the F150 and the Mustang caused a large fire, and both vehicles were immediately engulfed in flames. An off-duty Polk County Sheriff’s Office Sergeant extricated Kohlbecker from the F150. Bystanders extricated Agbanlog from the Mustang. Malicon was unable to be extricated.
Overnight, 43-year-old Joshua Kohlbecker of St. Petersburg, the driver of the pickup truck, was arrested and booked into the Pinellas County Jail on charges of DUI Manslaughter, Driving with a suspended/revoked license, and vehicular homicide.
According to arrest documentation, investigators reported several indicators of impairment, including horizontal gaze nystagmus, lack of convergence, and eyelid tremors. It was discovered his blood alcohol level was 0.
Kohlbecker has an extensive arrest record in Pinellas County related to previous DUI and drug possession cases.
The roadway was closed until approximately 5:30 a.m. due to the ongoing investigation.