Car crashes during police pursuit, injures 3 near Harbordale

ST. PETERSBURG, FL – Three people were injured in a single-vehicle crash during a police pursuit around 28th Ave and 4th St Thursday, IONTB reports.

Deputies were near 66th St and 49th Ave when they saw a Dodge Charger driven by Haidar Ateia, 27, flee the area at excessive speeds. Ateia was seen by witnesses shooting a gun in the air before leaving the site.

The deputies began pursuing Ateia around 2:55 a.m. Ateia ‘s vehicle was located by the PCSO Flight Unit as he was crossing into Manatee County using the Skyway Bridge. Ateia then turned around and headed back towards St. Petersburg.

Deputies deployed striking stop sticks, which Ateia ran over, deflating his tires in the process. Ateia then slammed into a tree after failing to negotiate a curve.

Ateia then exited the Charger and attempted to run away on foot. He was apprehended by police and then taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. His BAC was .142. He will be taken to jail when he is released from the hospital.

Ateia’s two passengers, Travis Craig, 25, and Latoyria Robinson, 32, were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The incident is under investigation by the Major Accident Investigation Team of the PCSHO.

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