On Friday, October 15th, investigators from the Pinellas Park Police Department secured a warrant for the arrest of 26 year-old Derek Dious of Plant City for leaving the scene of a crash involving the death in a crash on October 6, 2021.
The crash occurred on Wednesday, October 6, 2021, at approximately 8:00 p.m. at US Highway 19 N at Mainlands Blvd.
Officers responded to the intersection for the crash involving a vehicle and pedestrian. Officers located a male pedestrian with life-threatening injuries. The male pedestrian was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced deceased.
The vehicle involved fled the scene before law enforcement’s arrival and was initially described as a white compact sedan or hatchback. The suspect vehicle is believed to have sustained heavy front-end damage from the collision.
Investigators determined 63 year-old Gary Boisvert of Pinellas Park was crossing US Highway 19 N in the crosswalk against the “Do Not Walk” signal. At the time, Gary Boisvert was traveling in a wheelchair under his power.
The suspect vehicle was traveling south on US Highway 19 and increased its speed as they approached a yellow light at the intersection.
The suspect vehicle struck Gary Boisvert and the wheelchair, then fleeing the scene without rendering any aid or notifying law enforcement.
Investigators observed multiple car parts located on the roadway at the crash scene. One of the parts located contained a barcode from a 2017-2020 Jeep Compass. Dious also made incriminating statements to family members and his employer regarding the crash.
Derek Dious turned himself into the Pinellas County Jail at approximately 8:00 PM on October 15th and has been charged with one count of leaving the scene of a crash involving a death.
Derek Dious was identified through investigative means as the driver of the 2018 Jeep Compass that struck Gary Boisvert on US Highway 19 at Mainlands Blvd.