Rufus Brown Jr. (Pinellas County Sheriff)

High-Speed Crash In St. Petersburg Leaves Passenger Critically Injured, Driver Arrested

Rufus Brown Jr. (Pinellas County Sheriff)
Rufus Brown Jr. (Pinellas County Sheriff)

PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. – A high-speed crash in unincorporated St. Petersburg early Thursday morning left a 20-year-old passenger with life-threatening injuries and the driver facing multiple charges, including DUI and fleeing from law enforcement.

According to the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, deputies observed a 2017 Infiniti Q60S driving recklessly and at a high rate of speed on 33rd Street North around 2:06 AM. When deputies attempted a traffic stop, the driver, 24-year-old Rufus Brown Jr., fled the scene.

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Brown lost control of the vehicle while speeding through the intersection of 58th Avenue North and 28th Street North, colliding with two parked cars. He then fled on foot but was apprehended a short time later with the assistance of a K-9 unit.

Deputies discovered Brown’s passenger, 20-year-old Jeremiah Brown, still inside the vehicle with life-threatening injuries. Jeremiah was transported to a local hospital, while Rufus was also hospitalized with minor injuries.

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Charges Filed

Investigators determined that speed and impairment were factors in the crash. Rufus Brown Jr. was arrested and faces a long list of charges, including:

  • Fleeing and Eluding
  • Driving Under the Influence (Serious Bodily Injury)
  • Driving Under the Influence Involving Property Damage (two counts)
  • Leaving the Scene of a Crash Involving Serious Bodily Injury
  • Leaving the Scene of a Crash Involving Property Damage (two counts)  
  • Resisting an Officer Without Violence
  • Driving While License Suspended/Revoked
  • Violation of Probation

The investigation into the crash is ongoing.

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