United Taxi Driver With 5 Active Warrants Arrested After Fatal Pedestrian Hit-and-Run Crash in St. Petersburg, Man Found in Roadway by Sunstar Crew
St. Petersburg Police have made an arrest in a vehicle versus pedestrian hit and run crash that occurred on 34th St. between 35th Ave. and 38th Ave., North.
At 2:36 a.m. on Friday, June 29, 2018, a Sunstar ambulance found a man critically injured on 34th St. at that location.
He was transported to Bayfront Health St. Petersburg Hospital where he died from his injuries.
Doctors found he had evidence of trauma from an impact with a vehicle.
The victim was identified as a 58 year-old man, Plinnie A. McNelly, known to reside in St. Petersburg for several years as a transient.
Police have arrested the driver responsible for a fatal hit and run crash.
A United Taxi driven by 26 year-old Jimarez Donshay Reed, struck McNelly and left the scene. Police say McNelly had been trying to cross 34th Street North, but fell and was sitting up in the roadway when the Ford Crown Victoria (United Cab) hit him.
With the help of surveillance video from the area, and a tip from a witness, the investigator was able to determine Reed’s cab hit the victim.
Reed was arrested on Thursday, July 5, 2018 and charged with leaving the scene of a crash involving death. He also had five outstanding warrants from Hillsborough County.
Investigators closed 34th Street in both directions during the investigation which wrapped up at approximatley 6:30 a.m.