He had been drinking when he was involved in a traffic crash that killed a St. Petersburg teen and seriously injured six others Saturday (March 11) morning, the Florida Highway Patrol said.

PINELLAS COUNTY – An 18 year old from Pinellas Park is facing multiple felony charges stemming from a traffic crash Saturday (March 11) that killed one teenager and seriously injured six others, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

Donavan Leigh Patterson, 18, of Pinellas Park, was arrested today (March 15) after he was released from Tampa General Hospital where he was taken after the crash. He had suffered serious injuries in the collision. Patterson was charged with DUI manslaughter and vehicular homicide in the death of Jocelyn Kaila Schirmer, 18, of St. Petersburg.

Patterson is also facing several charges of  DUI involving serious bodily injury. Two others in the crash suffered critical injuries; four people, including Patterson, suffered serious injuries; and two others suffered minor injuries.

The crash happened about 12:58 a.m. at the intersection of Curlew Road and Country Road 611. Patterson was driving a 2008 Dodge Caliber that was traveling south on CR-611. Troopers said he failed to stop for a red light at the intersection and collided with a 2003 Ford F250 driven by Dalton A. Cox, 22, of Clearwater. The Ford overturned as a result of the crash. Troopers said the crash closed portions of the roadway until about 6:35 a.m.

For information about the Florida Highway Patrol, go to flhsmv.gov.

Florida Highway Patrol | Jocelyn Kaila Schirmer | Traffic Death | Traffic Crash | Crime | Arrests | TB Reporter

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