Passenger killed after driver flees Tampa traffic stop and crashes on East 28th Avenue; police seek driver
The driver of a 2002 Chevy Avalanche ran from the scene late Saturday. Detectives are asking the public for help.
TAMPA - A passenger was killed late Saturday when a driver who fled a traffic stop crashed into the SUV carrying the passenger on East 28th Avenue, and Tampa police are still looking for that driver, according to a Tampa Police Department release issued Sunday.
Police said that at about 11:15 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 31, the driver of a 2002 Chevy Avalanche fled from a traffic stop at 13th Street and 28th Avenue. Officers did not follow the vehicle, according to the release.
The driver headed east on East 28th Avenue and struck two unoccupied vehicles, police said. The driver then ran a stop sign and hit a 2019 Nissan Pathfinder, which crashed into a pole. The Avalanche's driver got out and ran from the scene.
Three adults were in the Pathfinder. Two had injuries that were not life-threatening and were taken to a hospital, where police said their conditions were last listed as stable. The rear passenger died. Police have not released the names of the people in the Pathfinder.
No arrest had been announced as of early Monday. Detectives are following leads to identify the driver, the department said, and anyone with information is asked to call 813-213-6130 and reference case number 26-641095. Police described it as an active investigation.
Source: Tampa Police Department release, Nov. 1, 2026: "Tampa Police Search for Driver Following Deadly Crash" (read 6:20 a.m. EST Nov. 2, 2026); City of Tampa newsroom (no update as of 6:20 a.m. Nov. 2).