A motorcyclist was hospitalized late Thursday after being struck by a suspected drunk driver and dragged 10 blocks, police said.

The crash happened just before 9 p.m. in the 3400 block of 30th Avenue N when a Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck driven by 54-year-old Luis A. Perez backed into a Hyundai sedan driven by Kevin Osterhout, 48, who was stopped to make a left turn.

After striking the Hyundai, Perez drove away and then crashed into the back of a Suzuki motorcycle on westbound 30th Avenue, police said.

Police said Perez made no attempts to stop as the motorcycle, driven by Alexander Galindo, 37, became wedged under his truck.

"There was just debris everywhere," said witness Joe Yardley. "I just could not imagine. It was horrifying. It was just a horrific scene."

Perez continued to drive with Galindo's motorcycle still under his vehicle for another 10 blocks. Witnesses gave chase and were able to detain Perez when he stopped for a red light at the intersection of 49th Street N.

"When I looked down the street I saw a white chevy pick up truck coming my way with sparks flying," said Yardley.

"When it flew by us I turned to Joe and said that's a motorcycle underneath that truck," said witness Christina Danaher.

Police said the violent crash cut groove marks into the roadway where the motorcycle was dragged.

Yardley and Danaher took off running after Perez and caught up with his truck when it stalled at a red light.

"I made the decision that this guy is not going to get away from me," Yardley said. "I ran around to the driver side door and I threw his truck in park and I took the keys out of the ignition."

"He was obviously panicking," Danaher said. "He knew because he kept saying I just hit somebody, I think I killed somebody."

Galindo was transported to Bayfront Health St. Petersburg with life-threatening injuries. 

Perez, who was not injured, was taken into custody and charged with DUI causing serious bodily injury, DUI causing property damage, leaving the scene of a crash involving injury and leaving the scene of a crash involving attended property.

Police said Perez's blood alcohol level was at least three times the legal limit at the time of the crash. He was released on bond on Friday morning.

Additional charges could be pending.