St. Petersburgh Police Department: Double Fatality Traffic Homicide Investigation

Press release from the St. Petersburgh Police Department:

July 30, 2021

Report number: 2021-028393

Date of original release:
07-30-21

Release updated on 07-30-21 at 10:48 p.m.

CLARIFICATION: Double Fatality Traffic Homicide Investigation

Maliyah Waters IS NOT the driver of the Nissan Rogue that crashed near the intersection on Tyrone Blvd and Norfolk St. earlier today.

Waters is facing Aggravated Manslaughter of a Child and Child Abuse - Agg Battery - Great Bodily Harm because she allowed children in her care to ride in a vehicle improperly restrained.

There are several news reports indicating that she was driving the vehicle that crashed. Please update news reports accordingly. We can confirm that she is not the driver.

The investigation into this crash is ongoing.

Release updated on 07-30-21 at 8:55 p.m.

A grey 2017 Nissan Rogue traveling northbound on Tyrone Boulevard N around 1 pm today tried to overtake another vehicle, lost control and struck a tree.

At this time we are unable to confirm the identities of everyone in the Rogue, but investigators believe two adults, two juveniles and two toddlers were inside at the time of the crash.

Two toddlers and a juvenile were transported to hospital. Maliyah Waters (DOB 11-11-2002), was treated at the scene. One of the toddlers remains in critical but stable condition. Sadly, Williah Waller (DOB 11-11-2019) and Mar'rion Heatley (DOB 11-18-2004) were pronounced deceased at local hospitals shortly after the crash.

Waters was later arrested and charged with Aggravated Manslaughter of a Child and Child Abuse - Aggravated Battery - Great Bodily Harm. Please see attached arrest affidavits.

The investigation is ongoing. Detectives are asking anyone with information to please call the non-emergencyline at 727-893-7780, or anonymous tips can be sent by texting the letters "SPPD" + tip to TIP411.

Release posted on 07-30-21 at 2:47 p.m.

SPPD is investigating a double fatality crash that happened near the intersection of Tyrone Square Blvd. N and Norfolk St. N.

Around 12:52pm we got a call about a vehicle that crashed off of Tyrone Blvd. Multiple victims, several of which were children, were rushed to the hospital. At this time, two people are confirmed deceased.

Traffic homicide detectives are at the scene investigating the crash. Anyone who may have information on this crash is asked to call our non-emergency line at 727-893-7780.

PIO Sandra Bentil is at the scene and will provide an update as soon as it becomes available.

This press release was produced by the St. Petersburgh Police Department. The views expressed here are the author’s own.