St. Petersburg Sanitation Director Dies In Crash

ST. PETERSBURG, FL -- The sanitation director for the city of St. Petersburg has died following a crash Thursday on 31st Street South.

According to St. Petersburg Police, Benjamin Shirley, 68, an employee of the city for nearly 48 years, suffered a medical episode shortly after 4 p.m. while driving his personal pickup truck south in the 300 block of 31st Street South. He veered off the road, struck several trees and then a power pole wire.

No other vehicles were involved in the accident.

Shirley was pronounced dead at the hospital.

31st Street South was closed between 3rd and 5th avenues south while Duke Energy worked on the downed pole.

Image via St. Petersburg

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