Driver Flees Two Crashes, Causes Fatal Collision in Pinellas Park
PINELLAS PARK, Fla. — A driver is facing charges after allegedly fleeing from two crashes and causing a fatal collision on Saturday morning.
According to the Pinellas Park Police, 28-year-old Katlynn Smith was driving a Toyota Camry when she fled the scene of a crash near Starkey Rd and Bryan Dairy Rd around 10 a.m. Witnesses reported that Smith drove recklessly along Bryan Dairy Rd after the initial incident.
The victim of the first crash followed Smith and observed her strike a vehicle stopped at a red light on Belcher Road, where she continued through the intersection.
Authorities said the victim called police while officers attempted to locate Smith's vehicle. Soon after, Smith ran a red light at 66th Street and 70th Ave., colliding with a Lexus IS250 driven by 53-year-old Kanh Kim Nguyen of Largo.
Nguyen sustained fatal injuries in the crash, while Smith was seriously injured. She was transported to a local hospital, where she remains in police custody.
Smith has been charged with vehicular homicide and hit-and-run with property damage. Neither of the initial crash victims reported injuries.
The investigation is ongoing.