South Pasadena Man Killed When Driver Runs Red Light

ST. PETERSBURG, FL -- Pinellas County Sheriff’s deputies are investigating a two-vehicle crash that left one person dead.

The crash occurred at about 4:15 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 2 at 5th Avenue North and 49th Street North in St. Petersburg.

According to investigators, a Violent Crimes Task Force deputy was driving his marked Pinellas County Sheriff's Office Chevrolet Tahoe in the area of 22nd Avenue South and 23rd Street South in St. Petersburg. While in the area, the deputy saw a gold 2001 Chevrolet Malibu, driven by 28-year-old John Owa of 2424 11th Ave. S., St Petersburg.

The deputy pulled his cruiser behind the Chevrolet Malibu and ran the tag, which showed Owa had a suspended driver's license. The deputy attempted to conduct a traffic stop and activated his emergency lights and sirens but Owa reportedly fled so the deputy stop pursuing the Malibu.

Instead, he notified undercover task force members who tracked Owa from a distance. Owa entered the Child’s Park area and continued to drive through the residential neighborhood at a slow speed.

But then he turned north on 49th Street South and accelerated to 70 mph, driving through at least three red lights. As he approached the intersection of 5th Avenue North and 49th Street North in St. Petersburg, a 2007 Ford Mustang driven by 56-year-old Donald Young of 7645 Sun Island Drive, Apt. 103, South Pasadena, crossed the intersection with a green light. Owa reportedly ran the red light and struck the side of the Mustang.

Young died at the scene. Owa was transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

He’s been charged with vehicular homicide, driving on a suspended license causing injury or death, aggravated fleeing and eluding police and possession of marijuana.

Image via Pinellas Sheriff

For more local news from Florida, click here to sign up for real-time news alerts and newsletters from Tampa Patch. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app; download the free Patch Android app here.)