Drunk Driving Kills Girl On Gandy Bridge, Man Faces DUI Homicide

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — A 15-year-old girl was killed early Thursday morning when a Riverview man, who is accused of driving drunk on the Gandy Bridge, smashed into her and a group of her friends,

At about 4:15 a.m., a 20-year-old man who drove a 2008 silver Inifiniti Q35 ran out of gas as he traveled eastbound on the bridge, Tampa Police Department said. The 15-year-old girl, a 17-year-old girl and another 20-year-old man were passengers in the stalled vehicle.

After he pulled over, he noticed a 2021 blue Honda Accord that swerved and drove toward them, police said. He warned his passengers, but the warning came too late. The 28-year-old accused drunk driver slammed his car into the friends, investigators said.

The 15-year-old girl stood outside the car near the passenger side, and was killed, officers said.

Minor injuries were experienced by the 17-year-old girl and 20-year-old passenger who were both in the backseat when the crash occurred.

Sebastian Gutierrez remained on the scene without injuries. He faces DUI manslaughter charges.

Original Patch Story:

A crash on Gandy Bridge eastbound headed into Tampa has been cleared after all lanes were blocked through much of Thursday morning.

Drivers can expect residual delays along Gandy Boulevard in St. Pete.

The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office was turning drivers around before they were able to reach the Gandy Bridge, and drivers had to take the Howard Frankland Bridge as an alternate route. No other information has been given about the condition of those involved in the crash. Tampa Police Department investigated the crash.