Driver Hits Other Cars Fleeing Traffic Stop In St. Pete

ST. PETERSBURG, FL – A man fleeing a traffic stop in unincorporated St. Petersburg has been arrested on several traffic and drug-related charges after seriously injuring the passenger of a car he hit while on the run, according to authorities.

Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office deputies charged Richard B. Odoms, 37, of St. Petersburg, with aggravated fleeing and eluding, driving with a suspended license and reckless driving, all resulting in serious bodily injury; possession of hydromorphone; and possession of MDMA.

The wreck occurred about 1:54 a.m. on Wednesday, June 14 at the intersection of Seventh Avenue North and 32nd Street North.

According to investigators, deputies assigned to the Violent Crimes Task Force attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a 2013 Nissan Altima at the intersection of 38th Avenue North and 66th Street North. The vehicle fled eastbound on 38th Avenue North at a high rate of speed and the traffic stop was terminated.

Investigators said task force members did not pursue the vehicle but had intermittent visual contact of it from a distance as it turned southbound onto 28th Street North. Deputies lost sight of the vehicle as it reached 22nd Avenue North.

An undercover VCTF deputy driving an unmarked car spotted the vehicle as it turned westbound onto Seventh Avenue North from 28th Street North. Shortly after, the Altima crashed into the driver’s side of a 2011 Honda Civic at the intersection of 32nd Street North.

Investigators said at no time during the incident did deputies pursue the Altima, which was driven by Odoms with his passenger, Daysha Ellis-Davis, 22, of Tampa.

The Civic was driven by Shaheed Wright, 24, of St. Petersburg, with his passenger identified as Dontay Anderson, 25, of St. Petersburg, who was not wearing a seatbelt.

Following the wreck, Odoms continued driving into the eastbound lanes of Seventh Avenue North, where he struck two parked vehicles before being taken into custody without incident, investigators said.

Paramedics responded and transported the victims to Bayfront Health St. Petersburg, Wright was treated and released and Anderson is being treated for serious injuries. Odoms was transferred to Northside Hospital, where he was treated and released into custody. Ellis-Davis was not injured in the wreck.

Investigators say alcohol was not a factor in the crash.

Image courtesy Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office