The crash happened Thursday (March 5) not far from the Pinellas County Jail in the unincorporated area near Largo.

PINELLAS COUNTY – The crash happened after a driver failed to stop when a deputy tried to pull him over.

The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office said Carlos Willis, 40, of 1019 37th Ave. S in St. Petersburg, was arrested after fleeing the scene. He was taken to the Pinellas County Jail and charged with felony driving with license suspended/revoked; felony fleeing and eluding; felony leaving the scene with injuries; and misdemeanor possession of marijuana. Willis was not injured in the accident, deputies said.

Deputies said it started around 4:30 p.m. Thursday (March 5) when Pinellas County Deputy J. McKenzie attempted to stop a 2000 Buick Park Avenue as it was leaving the Pinellas County Jail because the driver had a felony suspended license. McKenzie turned on his lights and siren to get the driver to pull over, but turned them off when the driver failed to stop. Willis, the Buick’s driver, continued to head south on 49^th Street N toward Ulmerton Road.

The Buick  crossed over the northbound lanes of 49^th Street N,  just south of 140^thAvenue and struck the front passenger side bumper of a 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee driven by Jasen Hoebay of Palm Harbor. Willis continued driving around the Jeep and rolled into a 2004 Toyota Corolla driven by Sandra Johnson of Tarpon Springs, who was stopped in the northbound lanes of 49^th Street. Deputies say Willis got out of the Buick and ran from the scene. Deputies caught him a short time later.

Johnson was taken to the hospital with minor injuries. McKenzie and Hoebay were uninjured. The investigation is ongoing. For information, see pcsoweb.com.

Pinellas County Sheriff | Largo | Crime | Public Safety | Local News

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