Driver killed in crash suspected of stealing car

Public Information Officer Mark Samson reported to Historic City News that last night, the St. Augustine Police Department was called to the parking lot at the intersection of Cordova Street and Carrera Street to investigate a report of a stolen vehicle.

The victim reported that she left her car keys on the bar at Scarlet O’Hara’s around 10:00 p.m.

According to police, after about 45 minutes of drinking, the victim noticed one of the two people she was with was missing — as were the victim’s car keys and her 2005 Nissan 350Z.

The victim said she met the two people earlier in the evening at Hurricane Patties.

While the officers were taking the auto theft report, a St. Johns County Sheriff’s deputy stopped a car matching the description of the stolen vehicle at SR-312 and A1A Beach Boulevard.

During the traffic stop the female driver of the suspected stolen vehicle fled from the deputy.

While the deputy was getting back into his patrol car he lost sight of the car. The last time he saw it was near the curve on A1A Beach Boulevard. The deputy continued on A1A Beach Boulevard, but was unable to re-locate the fleeing vehicle.

At about the same time, a passing motorist called 9-1-1 to report that they saw a vehicle in the ditch at the curve on A1A Beach Boulevard.

The deputy responded to the crash scene — positively identifying the driver and vehicle for St. Augustine Police Traffic Homicide Investigators as the same driver and vehicle that fled from him. The driver was dead at the scene and has not been identified pending notification of family.

The investigation is continuing. Anyone with any information concerning this crime or who may know the identity of those involved is asked to contact detectives with the St. Augustine Police Department at (904) 209-3482. You can remain anonymous and possibly be eligible for a cash reward by calling CrimeStoppers of Northeast Florida at 1-(888) 277-TIPS.

Photo credits: © 2011 Historic City News staff photographer