2 Injured In Reckless Driving Crash In St. Pete: FL Highway Patrol

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — An Orlando man faces multiple charges in a Friday night crash on Interstate 275 that left two people injured, according to a Florida Highway Patrol news release.

Jason Christopher Smalls, 31, was charged with reckless driving involving injury and property damage, fleeing and eluding, driving while a license was suspended as a habitual offender, and leaving the scene of a crash involving injury and property damage.

Troopers saw a car driving recklessly on I-275 just after 8:30 p.m.

When they tried to pull the car over, the driver, later identified as Smalls, fled south on the interstate, leading troopers on a chase, FHP said.

Smalls got off at the 38th Avenue North exit and, while passing other traffic on the left shoulder of the exit ramp, he lost control. He hit two roadside signs before crashing into a Jeep heading east on 38th Avenue North, FHP said.

After the crash, Smalls ran from the scene before being taken into custody by troopers.

The Jeep’s driver and passenger — a 42-year-old woman and a 17-year-old girl, respectively, both of St. Petersburg — suffered minor injuries and were brought to an area hospital.