ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – A chaotic crash on Dali Blvd SE Wednesday night has left a pedestrian fighting for his life and a driver facing serious charges. The incident, which occurred shortly after 8:00 PM, involved a red Chrysler minivan traveling at a high rate of speed.
According to the St. Petersburg Police Department, the driver, identified as Michael Auon, 34, lost control of the minivan near the intersection of Dali Blvd SE and Bayshore Dr. SE. The vehicle veered across two bicycle lanes before striking a statue, a light pole, and ultimately, a pedestrian.
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The victim, a 37-year-old man who was working in the median placing flags for a Grand Prix monument, sustained life-threatening injuries. He was rushed to Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital and remains in critical condition.
While Auon initially remained on the scene and cooperated with authorities, traffic investigators determined that he was under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the crash. He was subsequently arrested and charged with:
- Driving Under the Influence Causing Serious Injury
- Reckless Driving Causing Bodily Injury
The driver remained on the scene and cooperated with the investigation. However, traffic investigators determined that the driver, identified as Auon, was under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the crash.
Auon was subsequently arrested and charged with:
- Driving Under the Influence Causing Serious Injury
- Reckless Driving Causing Bodily Injury
PREVIOUS REPORT: A pedestrian was critically injured Wednesday evening after being struck by a vehicle on Dali Blvd SE in St. Petersburg.
The incident occurred shortly after 8:00 PM. According to the St. Petersburg Police Department, a man was walking on Dali Blvd SE when he was struck by a passing vehicle. The pedestrian sustained life-threatening injuries and was rushed to a local hospital. He remains in stable but critical condition.
READ: VIDEO: 5 Juveniles Arrested Following Vehicle Burglary In Riverview
The driver of the vehicle involved in the crash remained at the scene and is cooperating with the police investigation.
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