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Fleeing driver causes fatal St. Pete crash, deputies say

A driver with a suspended license fled from deputies, causing a crash that killed another driver, the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office said Thursday.
Credit: Chong, Loo

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - A driver with a suspended license fled from deputies, causing a crash that killed another driver, the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office said Thursday.

About 4:15 a.m., a deputy saw a gold 2001 Chevrolet Malibu in the area of 22nd Avenue South and 23rd Street South. The deputy ran the car's tag and found that the registered owner and driver, John Owa, 28, of St. Petersburg, had a suspended license.

The deputy activated his emergency equipment and tried to stop the Chevrolet, but the vehicle fled west on 22nd Avenue South, deputies said.

The deputy did not pursue, but notified the Violent Crimes Task Force, which tracked the car with unmarked vehicles.

The Chevrolet went through the Child's Park area at a high rate of speed, hitting a curb at one point and damaging a tire, deputies said.

Owa was going about 70 mph and ran at least three red lights, deputies said.

At the intersection of 5th Avenue North and 49th Street North, a 2007 Ford Mustang driven by 56-year-old Donald Young of South Pasadena, had a green light and moved forward. The Chevrolet, traveling north in the southbound lanes of 49th Street, ran a red light and hit the Ford in the passenger side.

Young was taken to a local hospital, where he died.

Owa has been charged with vehicular homicide, driving while license suspended and/or revoked causing injury or death, aggravated fleeing and eluding police, and possession of marijuana.

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