Driver Arrested in DUI Hit-and-Run in South Pasadena

About 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, offcials say Jeffrey A. Braden, 54, was heading south on Pasadena Avenue near Huffman Way when he made a left turn into the median, drove across it into the northbound lanes and hit a Toyota, causing it to flip on its side. Braden then left the scene of the accident, according to the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office.

The Toyota's driver, John Svoboda, 72, also from South Pasadena, was taken to Bayfront Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries. Officials initially thought his injuries were life-threatening.

Officials say a witness followed Braden's vehicle and wrote down the tag number and location of the truck. That led officials to his home in South Pasadena. He acknowledged drinking alcohol and leaving the scene of the crash, according to authorities. Braden received treatment for minor injuries at Bayfront Medical Center.

Braden is charged with DUI, DUI personal injury/property damage, leaving the scene of a crash with personal injury and leaving the scene of a crash with property damage.