Clearwater Police continue to investigate a crash that led to the arrest of 21-year-old Blake Popovich of Bushnell, Florida.
According to arrest information, at approximately 10:49 p.m. on Monday, November 6, 2023, Popovich was observed driving westbound from the Memorial Causeway into the Roundabout and failed to yield/slow before entering. He then drove onto the curb/median while negotiating the curve in the roundabout and returned to the roadway. He then headed back eastbound, accelerating to a high speed, emitting a large quality of black smoke from his 2008 Chevrolet Silverado. He began passing other traffic while swerving in and out of traffic lanes in a posted high pedestrian traffic area.
An officer approaching the base of the Causeway noticed the pickup truck collided with a Palm tree in the median. Popovich exited the driver’s seat and ran westbound, on foot, from the crash scene. He was “taken down” by pursuing officers and suffered injuries requiring transport to Bayfront Health St. Petersburg. Two passengers in the truck remained on the scene. There was also damage to a light pole due to the crash.
A passenger in the vehicle reported that Popovich consumed a bottle of liquor that was still in the vehicle. According to documentation, the plan was for Popovich to pull over and switch places with the passenger. According to the officer, Popovich’s breath emanated an odor of an alcoholic beverage, and his eyes were red/bloodshot. He refused to submit a sample of blood for evaluation.
Popovich was charged with Reckless Driving, Leaving the Scene of a crash involving injury, Resisting Officer without violence, and DUI involving property damage/personal injury.
He was booked into the Pinellas County Jail at 5:54 a.m. on Tuesday, November 7, 2023, and bailed out at 1:40 a.m. the following day.
