ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – A St. Petersburg man lost his life early this morning after his pickup truck drove through a guardrail at the end of a street and submerged in the water.
The crash occurred just after 7:15 a.m. on 62nd Avenue Northeast. According to investigators, 35-year-old David Hawkins, Jr. was driving his white 2012 Ford F250 eastbound.
For reasons police are still trying to determine, Hawkins did not stop where the road ends. The truck smashed through the guardrail, tore across a grassy area, and struck several trees before plunging into the water.
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A passerby spotted the truck and called 911 to report a “vehicle in the water.” Fire Rescue crews responded quickly and located Hawkins inside the cab, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities confirmed that his family has been notified.
Crews closed 62nd Avenue Northeast for several hours to recover the vehicle and investigate the scene, but the roadway has since reopened. The investigation is ongoing.
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