URGENT UPDATE: A deadly traffic crash in St. Petersburg has left one person dead and several injured. The incident occurred on December 27, 2025, at approximately 9:30 p.m. at the intersection of N Frontage Road and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Street North.
According to police reports, a silver Mitsubishi Outlander was traveling northbound on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Street North, approaching the intersection with a green light. In a tragic turn of events, a blue Dodge Charger, driven by 31-year-old Izell Shelby of St. Petersburg, was speeding westbound on N Frontage Road and ran a red light. The Charger collided forcefully with the Mitsubishi.
Shelby was pronounced dead shortly after the crash at Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital, where he was transported due to severe entrapment in the vehicle. The driver of the Mitsubishi and her three passengers suffered non-life-threatening injuries and were also taken to the same hospital for treatment.
This incident follows a reckless driving episode earlier that evening. An officer from the St. Petersburg Police Department had noticed Shelby driving erratically along Gandy Boulevard. When the officer attempted to intervene, Shelby made a U-turn to evade arrest, subsequently striking another vehicle before continuing westbound until the fatal collision.
Authorities confirm that the officer did not pursue Shelby at that moment but requested other units to be on the lookout for the Dodge Charger. Investigators are looking into speed and improper seatbelt use as key factors contributing to the crash. Notably, Shelby had an active warrant and was driving with a suspended Florida license due to prior infractions involving driving without a valid license.
The investigation into this tragic accident is ongoing, and further updates are expected as authorities seek to uncover the full details surrounding the incident.
This collision not only highlights the dangers of reckless driving but also serves as a tragic reminder of the human cost of such behavior. The community is urged to drive safely and be vigilant at intersections, especially during peak traffic hours.
Stay tuned for further developments as this story unfolds.
