An Express Taxi (a 2009 Ford Crown Victoria), driven by David Yancey (08/15/1971) was southbound on 49th St. N with a passenger (Heather Scozzaro (08/22/1978) when it rear ended a 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe driven by John McVey (10/16/1940), that was stopped at 38th Ave N.

This caused a chain reaction and ultimately four additional vehicles who were stopped at the red light were hit. The Tahoe hit a 2017 Ford Escape, driven by Barbara Weber (06/18/1947), and a 2017 Chevrolet SS, driven by Thomas Stewart (12/23/1961). The Ford Escape was pushed into a 2014 Kia Optima, driven by Warren Chase (05/30/1933) and the Kia Optima was pushed into a 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe, driven by Beth Johnson (08/08/1968).

McVey, Weber and McLoughlin suffered non-life threatening injuries and were transported to area hospitals.

Yancey and Scozzaro suffered serious injuries and were transported to Bayfront Health St Petersburg, where Scozzaro died. Yancey and Scozzaro were not wearing seatbelts and alcohol played a role in this crash.

The investigation into the crash is ongoing and charges are pending.