Hit-And-Run Crash On U.S. 19 Leaves Bicyclist In Critical Condition

PINELLAS PARK, FL — The Pinellas Park Police Department is investigating a hit-and-run crash that left a bicyclist in critical condition Wednesday night.

Police were called to the 9500 block of U.S. 19 North around 9 p.m. for an accident involving a black Chevrolet Impala and a bicyclist.

According to police, the bicyclist was heading north on U.S. 19 North on the east side of the road. As the bicyclist approached the off-ramp for 49th Street North, a black Chevrolet Impala was heading north on U.S. 19 and made a sudden lane change to access the ramp for the 49th Street North exit.

While making the lane change, police said the front of the Impala struck the bicyclist and then fled the scene.

The Impala was located a short time later by the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office. The driver of the Impala, Olajuwon Simmons, 36, was arrested and charged with driving with a suspended license and leaving the scene of a crash with serious bodily injury.

The bicyclist was taken to a local hospital and listed in critical but stable condition.