Driver Cited in Crash That Killed Mastry's Bar Manager

TREASURE ISLAND, FL — A City of Treasure Island garbage truck driver has been charged in the crash that killed Justin Mastry, 44, on Aug. 12. According to the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, Chester Lee Tunsil II was cited with careless driving on Thursday.

Tunsil, 38, has a mandatory first appearance scheduled in South County Traffic Court on Nov. 1, the sheriff’s office said.

The crash in question happened around 9 a.m. on Aug. 12 in the 8000 block of Bayshore Drive. Deputies say Tunsil was driving a garage truck north on Bayshore Drive between 81st and 82nd avenues at that time. Tunsil, an email from the sheriff’s office said, realized he missed a home behind him.

“Deputies say Tunsil put the truck in reverse and began backing towards the house he missed,” an email from the agency said. As Tunsil was backing up, Mastry was crossing the road in front of his home. Mastry was hit and killed by the truck, deputies said.

“Tunsil said he didn’t see Mastry in the roadway behind him,” police noted.

Mastry was the manager of downtown St. Petersburg’s popular Mastry’s Bar. Justin Mastry’s family owns the establishment.

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