St. Pete Police Seek SUV in Fatal Hit-and-Run

St. Petersburg police released surveillance video Monday of a dark-colored Mercedes SUV they are seeking in connection with a fatal hit-and-run crash that killed a 65-year-old motorcyclist early Sunday morning. The crash occurred shortly after 1 a.m. at the intersection of 9th Avenue North and 4th Street North.

The victim, a Pinellas Park resident, was riding a motorcycle southbound on 4th Street North. The suspect vehicle, a dark-colored Mercedes SUV, traveled northbound on 4th Street North. Police said the SUV turned west onto 9th Avenue North directly in front of the motorcycle, causing the collision. The SUV then fled the scene westbound on 9th Avenue North.

Investigators reported the suspect's vehicle sustained significant damage to its front right side. The motorcyclist was transported to Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital St. Petersburg, where he later died from his injuries. Authorities have not yet released the victim's identity.

St. Petersburg Police Department Lt. Jason Levey emphasized the legal consequences of leaving the scene of a crash. "If you get involved in a crash, whether it's property damage or injury, stay," Levey said. "Even if you're impaired or under the influence of narcotics or alcohol, the penalty is higher if you leave the scene of a hit-and-run crash as opposed to a DUI manslaughter." Levey added that the SUV driver faces a first-degree felony charge.

Police urge the public to review the surveillance footage and provide any information that could identify the driver or locate the vehicle. "There are cameras everywhere, whether cameras on businesses, cameras on vehicles, everybody has in-car dash cams now. It's not just the police," Levey said. "There's someone out there that saw something that didn't seem right. Please give us a call because the victim's family deserves the right to know what happened." Anyone with information should contact SPPD at 727-893-9970. The investigation is ongoing.