The driver of a vehicle fled from Pinellas Deputies on the east side of the Belleair Causeway at approximately 3:55 a.m. on Thursday, February 3, 2022.
The driver, identified as 26 year-old Aaron Meyer of Riverview, was observed by a deputy passed out behind the wheel of the blue Tesla. While deputies were speaking with Meyer, he fled westbound over the Causeway in what appears to be a 2021 Tesla Model S Plaid. The vehicle crossed Gulf Boulevard, crashed through a wall surrounding the property, and into the exterior wall of the home located at 1060 Gulf Boulevard in Belleair Shore.
Deputies were initially unaware that the vehicle crashed and searched both north and southbound on Gulf Boulevard. The vehicle was located by arriving deputies and the driver was taken into custody. Meyer was treated at the scene and transported as a trauma alert to Bayfront Health St. Petersburg.
A fire was reported in the Tesla’s battery and firefighters utilized foam and copious amount of water to control the flames and heat. Significant impact damage to home was visualized. The owners and occupants of the home were not home and out of state at the time of the crash.
Gulf Boulevard was closed for several hours during the investigation. The road is now fully reopened.
Later in the day, Meyer was booked into the Pinellas County Jail on charges of fleeing/eluding. He is also being held on a warrant out of Kenton County, Kentucky. The warrant appears related to a violation of probation on previous charges of trafficking in controlled substances and engaging in organized crime. On Saturday, February 5th, an additional charge of driving under the influence was filed. Additional local charges are possible.
