Driver Was Stopped Before Fatal Crash; Internal Investigation Underway

CLEARWATER, FL — The Clearwater Police Department will conduct an internal investigation into the accident Thursday night that claimed the life of a 37-year-old woman Thursday night.

The Clearwater Police Department learned that 46-year-old Bryant Mendoza of 1763 Main St.,Dunedin, the driver of the Grand Jeep Cherokee involved in the crash, was involved in another crash about an hour before he struck the crane in a closed construction zone in the northbound lanes of U.S. 19 at Harn Boulevard.

Prior to the fatal crash, police said Mendoza was involved in a rear-end collision at 10:19 p.m. at U.S. 19 and Flournoy Boulevard. The responding officer arrived at 10:55 p.m. and Mendoza was cited for careless driving.

The crash with the crane occurred at 11:22 p.m. about a half-mile north of the first location.

The Clearwater Police Department will investigate to determine if the officer who responded to the first crash failed to investigate if Mendoza was driving under the influence at the time of the first crash.

Related: Dunedin Man Accused Of Crashing Into Crane, Killing Woman Passenger

A witness told police that Mendoza was speeding at the time he crashed into the crane, killing the passenger in his Jeep.

Mendoza has been charged with DUI manslaughter and vehicular homicide.

After the crash, Mendoza was taken to Bayfront Health St. Petersburg to be treated for minor injuries and was later booked into the Pinellas County Jail. He was released from jail on Friday on a $40,000 surety bond.