St. Petersburg police arrested a 21-year-old on a warrant Tuesday in the Aug. 19 hit-and-run that killed a scooter rider at 5th Avenue North and Tyrone Boulevard.

St. Petersburg police have made an arrest in the Aug. 19 hit-and-run that killed a man riding an electric scooter on 5th Avenue North.

Jaida Thomas-McFatten, 21, was arrested Tuesday on a warrant for leaving the scene of a crash involving death. The St. Petersburg Police Department announced the arrest in an update to its original release. The update gave no other charges and no bond.

An arrest or charge is an accusation. Every person is presumed innocent unless and until convicted in court.

What police said happened

The department gave this account in its Aug. 20 release:

  • At about 9:50 p.m. Aug. 19, a black Toyota sedan was traveling west on 5th Avenue North in the curb lane, through the intersection at Tyrone Boulevard North.
  • A 37-year-old man on a standing electric scooter was crossing 5th Avenue North from south to north. Police said he was outside the crosswalk and crossing against the pedestrian signal.
  • The Toyota struck him in the westbound curb lane and he was thrown from the scooter.
  • The Toyota left the scene. The man was pronounced dead there.

Police said at the time that they had later located the driver. The department has not released the man’s name.

The charge

Under Florida Statutes section 316.027, a driver involved in a crash that kills someone must stop and remain at the scene. Willfully leaving is a first-degree felony. The law sets a minimum mandatory prison term of four years on conviction.

What it means for you

  • The case now moves to the Pinellas-Pasco state attorney’s office, which decides on formal charges. We will report any release from the department or the state attorney.
  • Drivers involved in any crash in Florida must stop, stay and call 911 if anyone is hurt. Leaving the scene of a crash with injuries is also a felony under the same statute.
  • Anyone with information about the crash can call St. Petersburg police at 727-893-7780, the department’s non-emergency line.

This item is part of our Police and Fire log, which follows the department’s own published releases. A person named in our coverage whose charge is dropped or who is cleared can ask for an update through our removal and correction route.