ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Two people were killed in a fiery crash early Tuesday on Interstate 275 in St. Petersburg.
- 2 killed in St. Pete I-275 crash
- Crash on NB I-275 near 22nd Ave N
- Police said crash happened after a traffic stop
The crash, involving a Hyundai Genesis, happened on northbound I-275 near 22nd Avenue North. The crash closed the northbound lanes of I-275 until 6:15 a.m.
According to St. Petersburg Police, the crash happened moments after a 1:30 a.m. traffic stop.
An officer stopped the car for a traffic stop at 5th Avenue South and 4th Street South.
While the officer was standing by the car window requesting documents, the car sped off. The officer did not pursue.
Several minutes later, the speeding car failed to negotiate a curve, authorities said, collided with a tree and overturned multiple times.
The driver of the vehicle, a 28-year-old man from Safety Harbor and his 33-year-old passenger from Clearwater, both died at the scene. The passenger was ejected as the vehicle came to final rest and erupted in flames.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the crash.