Fatality Hit and Run Crash at 15th Avenue South and 25th Street South
June 5, 2014
St. Petersburg Police rolled up on a crash involving an overturned vehicle Wednesday evening about 9:11pm. Crews from St. Petersburg Fire Rescue were quickly dispatched to the scene.
A 1997 white Toyota Camry driven by 62 year-old Anna Melendez was traveling eastbound on 15th Avenue South approaching 25th Street South. Anna Melendez’s husband, 81 year-old Tomas Melendez was riding in the front passenger seat of the Toyota Camry along with their son, 24 year-old Daniel Melendez in the backseat.
A 2014 silver Nissan Altima was traveling northbound on 25th Street South toward 15th Avenue South. The Silver Nissan Altima was an Avis rental vehicle that was originally rented to a Keisha Williams (07/02/1986). Keisha Williams was not driving or with the Nissan Altima at the time of the crash.
The driver of the Nissan Altima is unidentified at this time. The Nissan Altima was traveling at a high rate of speed and swerving around other vehicles on the roadway according to witnesses. The Nissan Altima then ran a stop sign for northbound traffic on 25th Street South with the front striking the right side of the Toyota Camry. The Toyota Camry flipped onto the driver side crashing into a chain link fence on the northeast corner of the intersection.
Crews from St. Pete Fire Rescue worked for about 30 minutes to extricate all of the occupants from the Camry due to the extensive damage to the vehicle.
The suspect driver of the Nissan Altima then ran from the scene northbound on foot. Tomas Melendez was transported to Bayfront Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 9:38pm. Anna and Daniel Melendez were also transported to Bayfront Hospital for treatment and have since been released.
The suspect driver is described as a black male, 20 – 30 years of age, with a beard.
If you have any information please contact the St. Petersburg Police Department at 727-893-7780.