Driver Who Hit Bicyclist Charged with Manslaughter

An left bicyclist Kris Ann Jones, 40, dead after police said a car driven by 27-year-old Matthew Cook struck her at a high rate of speed. 

On Tuesday, the St. Petersburg Police Department charged Cook with manslaughter, vehicular homicide, DUI involving serious bodily injury and child abuse.

Police said Cook had his 3-year-old daughter in the car with him at the time of the accident. 

At 3 p.m. Tuesday, Cook was released from Bayfront Medical Center where he had undergone treatment for injuries suffered during the April 14 accident in the 5200 block of 1st Avenue South.

Accident investigators met Cook at the hospital and took him into custody on several charges related to the accident that resulted in the death of Jones, police said.

Police said investigators have determined that at the time of the accident, Cook was driving under the influence of Opiates, Benzodiazeines, Marijuana, Cocaine, Methadone and Oxycodone.

Cook, police said, was driving his vehicle over 80 mph in a posted 40 mph zone and did so with his daughter in the car.

At the time his daughter was in a child seat, but not properly restrained and was partially thrown from the seat and suffered burns, abrasions and contusions to her body during the accident, police said.

Investigators are still attempting to identify the driver of a small, faded white car, possible foreign, that appeared to be racing Cook's vehicle just prior to the accident.

Anyone with information can contact Officer Michael Jockers at 727-893- 4813 or the St. Petersburg Police Tip Line at 727- 892-5000.