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St. Pete Police: Stolen Jeep Hits Pickup, Injuring 4

News Channel 8 photo by RUGENE MOORE

Police say a stolen Jeep Cherokee crashed with a white pickup, ejecting one of the truck's occupants.

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Published: July 25, 2008

Updated: 07/25/2008 01:18 pm

ST. PETERSBURG - Six blocks after a St. Petersburg police officer tried to pull it over for a traffic violation, a Jeep Cherokee ran a red light this morning and crashed into a pickup, critically injuring the passenger in the truck, police say.

The officer never instituted a police pursuit, police spokesman Bill Proffitt said.

The passenger, a 33-year-old man whose identity police did not release, was ejected from the pickup and was first believed to have suffered life-threatening injuries, Proffitt said. However, his condition has improved over the last several hours at Bayfront Medical Center, Proffitt said..

The two men in the Jeep Cherokee – which had been stolen two days ago – ran off following the 1:40 a.m. wreck, but were arrested soon afterward, Proffitt said. They have been identified as Jonell D. Wilson, 18, of 2484 Lynn Lake Circle S., and David D. Rogers, 20, of 1251 11th Ave. S.

Both have been charged with auto theft. In addition, Rogers was charged with misdemeanor possession of marijuana. Additional charges are expected, Proffitt said, once the investigation is complete.

Wilson, who is believed to be the driver of the Jeep at the time of the wreck, suffered major injuries after his face smashed into the steering wheel, Proffitt said. He lost all his teeth, and one was found in his lung. Rogers suffered a knee injury.

Wilson and Rogers are at Bayfront Medical Center, Proffitt said.

The driver of the pickup, David Andre Leak, 24, of 9900 66th St. N., Pinellas Park, also suffered serious injuries, Proffitt said. He also was at Bayfront Medical Center, Proffitt said.

At 1:40 a.m., Officer Matthew Hansell, while working a drunken-driving detail, spotted the 1997 Jeep, Proffitt said. Hansell suspected the driver might have been impaired because the vehicle was not kept in a single lane, Proffitt said.

Hansell followed the Jeep, watching it stop at a traffic light at Fifth Avenue North and 28th Street, Proffitt said. The officer ran the license plate and found the Jeep had been stolen, Proffitt said.

Hansell turned on his overhead lights when the Jeep reached First Avenue North and 28th Street, but the Jeep turned from 28th Street onto First Avenue North, and then sped off, accelerating rapidly and changing lanes, Proffitt said.

In keeping with department policy, Hansell did not pursue the Jeep, Proffitt said. The department allows officers to chase a suspect only if the suspect is believed to have been involved in a violent felony.

The Jeep struck the side of the 1996 Chevrolet pickup at First Avenue North and 34th Street. A Nissan then collided with the pickup, Proffitt said.

The Jeep was reported stolen to St. Petersburg police at 5:19 a.m. Wednesday. A man at home in the 5500 block of 18th St. Northeast heard a noise outside and saw someone steal his Jeep. He immediately called police.

Reporter Stephen Thompson can be reached at (727) 451-2336 or spthompson@tampmatrib.com.

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