Pedestrian Killed in Crash Involving an Impaired Driver and a PSTA Bus
Deputies from the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office investigated a crash that fatally injured a pedestrian in Indian Rocks Beach.
According to investigators, at approximately 1:54 p.m. a PSTA bus heading southbound on Gulf Boulevard, was stopped at a designated bus stop, just south of 4th Avenue.
A 2016 Ford Flex being driven by 58-year old David Schwab of New Hartford, Iowa, was heading northbound on Gulf Boulevard, when he crossed over to the southbound lane, in front of the PSTA bus.
Investigators say that Schwab’s vehicle struck the PSTA bus head-on, as 55-year old Michael Richardson of Redington Shores was placing his bicycle on the bicycle rack, which is located on the front of the PSTA bus.
Richardson sustained life-threatening injuries and was transported by Bayflite to Bayfront Health St. Petersburg where he was later pronounced deceased.
Schwab was transported by ambulance to a local hospital, for non-life-threatening injuries.
The additional passengers on the PSTA bus were uninjured.
Due to the severity of the crash, deputies closed Gulf Boulevard, from 1st Avenue to 5th Avenue, while they conducted their investigation.
The driver, 58-year-old David Schwab consented to a blood draw at the hospital
which indicated he had a BAC of .083.
Schwab was charged with DUI Manslaughter and DUI with Property Damage.
As of Tuesday morning, Schwab remains in the hospital, but will be transported to the Pinellas County Jail upon his release.