Pinellas Park police are on scene of a serious injury crash that has northbound 66th Street North condensed to one passable lane. The crash happened around 7:00 a.m. Wednesday and is in the 6600 block of 66th Street North.
Three people have been transported to Bayfront Hospital as trauma alert.
Through the investigation it was determined that Matthew Rhine, 25 of Pinellas Park was driving a 2008 Chevy Malibu eastbound on 66 Av and failed to stop at the stop sign at 66 St where he attempted to cross 66 St. There were also two juveniles in the vehicle with Rhine. Vincent Kosel of Pinellas Park was driving a 2012 Ford van northbound in the canter lane of 66th Street at 66th Ave. The front of the Ford crashed into the passenger side of the Chevy. Both vehicles left the roadway on the northeast corner of the intersection.
Robert Ingold of New Port Richey was driving a 2005 International truck and was stopped on westbound 66th Ave at the stop sign for 66th St. Before the Ford left the roadway, the right front of the Ford crashed into the left front of the International. The Chevy and Ford came to rest side by side after crashing into shrubs and trees.
All three subjects inside of the Chevy Malibu had to be ex extricated by rescue personnel and were all transported to the hospital as trauma patients.
Matthew Rhine was determined to be the driver of the Chevy and it was learned that he has a suspended driver’s license It was learned that Rhine and his juvenile passengers had serious bodily injuries that were not life threatening. Due to the severity of the injuries, Rhine was charged with DWLSR with serious bodily injury and failing to stop at the stop sign. While the crash investigation was in progress, officers responded to the 5500 block of 64th Ave in response to a stolen vehicle. During that investigation it was determined that the Chevy that Rhine was driving was the stolen vehicle that was being reported.
Shortly after 1:00pm Rhine was discharged from the hospital and transported to the Pinellas County Jail where he was charged with the crash and the theft of the motor vehicle. He remains in jail on $20,000 bond.
.@PinellasParkPD still onscene. Only 1 NB lane 66th St/66th Ave open. 3 trauma alerts. Photo: Tracey Simmons pic.twitter.com/c9qMagLNGp
— IONTB.COM (@IONTB) July 8, 2015
Pinellas Park: Air transport cancelled. All 3 patients cut from vehicles. 1 with very critical injuries. @PinellasParkPD diverting traffic.
— IONTB.COM (@IONTB) July 8, 2015
