A St. Petersburg man was arrested early Friday morning after police say he caused a high-speed crash on U.S. 19 that injured four people, including two children.
The crash occurred just before 3 a.m. in the northbound lanes of U.S. 19 near Harn Boulevard.
According to investigators, Mario Mounes Rizk, 27, was driving at an estimated speed of about 100 mph when his vehicle slammed into the rear of another vehicle traveling on the highway. After the initial impact, Rizk’s vehicle continued forward and struck a third vehicle that was disabled on the shoulder of the roadway.
Four people were injured in the crashes, including two children. Police said the injuries were serious but not considered life-threatening.
Rizk was charged with DUI causing serious bodily injury and reckless driving causing serious bodily injury. He was booked into the Pinellas County Jail.
Northbound lanes of U.S. 19 were closed for approximately three hours while officers investigated the crash scene.