Sheriff: Man Driving Erratically Before Fatal Palm Harbor Crash

PALM HARBOR, FL – Pinellas County Sheriff’s deputies are investigating a single-vehicle crash that killed a 22-year-old man.

The crash occurred at 6:55 p.m. on Tuesday Aug. 28, at 1750 Curlew Road, Palm Harbor.

According to investigators, 22-year-old Austin R. Marr was driving his 2014 Volkswagen GTI west on Curlew Road. Witnesses, including off-duty Pinellas Sheriff's Deputy Derrick Gregory, drove past Marr who initially appeared to be slowing or stopping along the curb lane of Curlew Road just west of Belcher Road.

Gregory reported to investigators that before he could safely turn around to check on Marr, the Volkswagen abruptly accelerated, heading west on Curlew Road at a high speed and then turning left across all lanes of traffic. Marr struck a light pole, a utility box and a traffic sign before becoming airborne and crashing into a large oak tree.

Paramedics arrived on scene and extricated Marr from his badly damaged car. Bayflight transported Marr to St Joseph's Hospital where he later died from his injuries.

Investigators don’t know what caused the erratic driving that led to Marr’s death.

Image via Pinellas Sheriff