Death Of Teenage Boy In St Petersburg Brings Police Response To Illegal Street Racers
Michael Babboni
Crash Reports
The Saint Petersburg Police are actively responding to illegal street racing in the area after a 13-year-old teen was killed after being hit by a motorcycle going over 100 mph during one of these races.The police department was working hard to address this type of activity following the death of Ethan Martin, who was taken to a street race with his father, according to a police report. The father was arrested and the motorcyclist in connection with the teen’s death.
There have been signs posted at 109th Avenue North and 28th street, there is an area where the teen was killed which informed the public to report illegal street racing in the area or elsewhere.
A Sargent of the Saint Petersburg police department reported that 28th street North along with Gandy Boulevard and Fourth Street North are hot spots for illegal street racing.
Patrol teams in Saint Petersburg are monitoring these roads on 16th street north and Dr. M.L.K. Jr. Street North. Officers are assigned to watch these locations from 10 p.m. to 3 P.M. using lighting to deter street racing.
These actions have worked to decrease illegal street racing since the death of Ethan Martin in January.
Other agencies have cracked down on other areas where street racing events are scheduled and are arresting people in a crackdown in Gasparilla in late January of this year. The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office has made 9 arrests during this month to crack down on illegal street racing and has conducted more than 150 traffic stops.
Although this teen boy's death has deterred illegal street racing in Saint Petersburg, officers suspect that people who perform illegal street racing are in other areas and are waiting to start back up again.