By Anthony Payero
(CLEARWATER, Fla.) Clearwater Police launched an investigation after a fatal crash took place around midnight on Wednesday, according to ABC Action News.
The incident took place near Chestnut Street and Prospect Avenue. Police in the area looked to perform a traffic stop on an SUV that was heading eastbound on Court Street near Missouri Avenue.
Suddenly, the vehicle made a U-turn and drove westbound on Court Street. The officer did not follow the vehicle after it turned around, per ABC. The driver turned the wrong way, heading westbound on Chestnut Street — near the intersection with Court Street — driving into oncoming traffic, witnesses reported.
The SUV swerved off-road to avoid a head-on collision, causing the driver to lose control and drive into a building, police said.
The driver was transported to Bayfront Health St. Petersburg for treatment. The driver was accompanied by a female passenger who was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police said the driver has a prior record and will face multiple charges linked to the fatal overnight crash.
Officials have not released the names of the driver and passenger at this time.