On April 16, 2014 at about 2:30 am, a 2003 BMW 330i, being driven by 28 year-old Ramiz Suljic of St. Pete was northbound on 66th Street in the 3700 block and approaching a green light at 38th Avenue.
A pedestrian just left the Checker’s Restaurant on the east side of 66th Street and stepped into the roadway mid block. The pedestrian walked westbound on 66th Street and into the path of Suljic’s vehicle.
Suljic could not see the pedestrian until the moment before impact and he swerved to the left in an attempt to avoid the crash. The front right of Suljic’s vehicle struck the pedestrian, throwing him in the air and subsequently to the ground.
The pedestrian was taken to Bayfront Medical Center where he was later pronounced dead. Alcohol nor impairment were a factor for Suljic, however; the pedestrian had an extremely high blood alcohol content. The pedestrian was also wearing dark clothing and he failed to use the marked crosswalk which was just a short distance from his location.
The pedestrian had yet to be identified and he is believed to be a transient who frequents the area of 38th Avenue North and 66th Street, Suljic is not facing any charges in this case.
