Man with Gunshot to Head Led Deputies on a Chase Before Dying

A single gunshot that rang out in the parking lot of Baby Dolls strip club in Clearwater Wednesday morning caught the attention of a passing Pinellas County Sheriff’s deputy.

What unfolded after that sound rang out led to a chase, morning road closings and the death of a 22-year-old man.

After hearing the shot, the deputy saw a car leave the 13383 U.S. Highway 19 N. club. He decided to follow the red 2011 Chevy Cruz and attempted to make a traffic stop. The driver, however, had a different plan in mind and fled from the deputy, an email to media from the sheriff’s office stated.

The sheriff’s office helicopter was called in and continued to follow the vehicle. The Cruz headed east over the Courtney Campbell Bridge and then made a U-turn to head back westbound.

Deputies put out stop sticks at Damascus Road and State Road 60. While the Cruz went over those stop sticks, the vehicle still didn’t stop, the sheriff’s office said.

The car continued down State Road 60, passing County Road 611, where it then crossed into eastbound lanes, struck a billboard sign post and a tree. The Cruz came finally stopped when it overturned onto its roof on a sidewalk.

The driver of the car was taken to Mease Countryside where he was pronounced dead, the sheriff’s office said. The man, James A. Smith, 22, of Clearwater, had a gunshot wound to the head.

Deputies say the wound was self-inflicted and they recovered a gun from the car.

It is unclear why Smith shot himself or fled from police. The investigation continues.