Man Runs From Authorities, Dies In Car Crash: St. Pete Police

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — A 35-year-old man who sped away from police early Monday morning was killed when his car crashed into several palm trees in St. Petersburg, said police.

Authorities said the victim, Zachary Vereen, was first thought to be a suspect involved at a nearby crime scene that occurred before 3 a.m. at 17th Avenue South and 16th Street South because it was shortly after the crime took place, he was seen speeding a 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer nearby, and his vehicle was pointed out as possibly being a suspect who had a gun and struck a woman at that intersection.

St. Petersburg police said an officer followed Vereen to get his vehicle license plate number, but when Vereen sped away from the patrol car, the officer did not pursue chasing him.

Vereen crashed the speeding car into several palm trees at 3:10 a.m. after he lost control when he swerved around a slower vehicle in the 100 block of Eighth Street North, said investigators.

Vereen died at a local hospital, said authorities.

Law enforcement officials said that witnesses at the earlier crime scene confirmed that Vereen was not a suspect.