Officers from the Pinellas Park Police Department continue to investigate a serious injury crash that occurred on US-19 at approximately 9:45 p.m. on Tuesday, November 1, 2022.
Investigators say that 23 year-old Maiya Edwards of Pinellas Park was operating a vehicle in the northbound curb lane of US-19 just south of 126th Avenue. There were two stopped vehicles in the curb lane with hazard lights flashing and in a lighted area. Edwards struck the rear of the first vehicle which was pushed forward and struck a victim who was changing a tire on a vehicle. The victim suffered a below the knee amputation of the right leg. He was rushed to the trauma center at Bayfront Health St. Petersburg.
Edwards reportedly showed signs of impairment, including bloodshot and watery eyes, slurred speech, poor balance, and a strong and distinct odor of a consumed alcoholic beverage. She failed field sobriety tests and a warrant was obtained for a blood draw. Results of this blood draw are currently pending.
Edwards was arrested for Driving under the influence with serious bodily injury and property damage and booked into the Pinellas County Jail. She was released on her own recognizance at 12:03 a.m. on Thursday, November 3, 2022.