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Police: Car Fleeing Pinellas Drug Sting Causes Fatal Crash

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TBO.com

Published: July 10, 2008

Updated: 07/11/2008 12:22 am

Two men driving away from police Thursday night ran a red light at U.S. 19 and 70th Avenue North in Pinellas Park and collided with a Ford Taurus, killing the driver and injuring four passengers, including three children, authorities said.

Nachenga E. Robinson, 32, of Florence, S.C., died at the scene, police said.

An adult passenger and the children, ages 8, 9 and 12, were taken to local hospitals. Their names and conditions were not immediately available.

Traffic on U.S. 19 between Haines Road and Park Boulevard was shut down in both directions as authorities investigated the crash, which happened about 8:54 p.m.

The men fled the crash on foot but were arrested, Capt. Sanfield Forseth said.

Police identified them late Thursday as Rashane DeAngelo Barber, 21, and Devonta Thornton Merriex, 20, both of St. Petersburg.

Detectives were conducting an undercover drug operation near a Target store at 7200 U.S. 19, Forseth said. Barber and Merriex drove away in a white Monte Carlo after selling crack cocaine to undercover officers, Forseth said.

Police tried to block them in the parking lot but failed. A few minutes later, Barber and Merriex's car struck the Ford Taurus, Forseth said.

Barber has an outstanding arrest warrant, police said.

Stay with TBO.com for further developments.

News Channel 8 videographer Jim Farquhar contributed to this report.

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