80-Year-Old Pedestrian Fatally Hit in Crosswalk

An 80-year-old man has died from his injuries, after being struck by a vehicle while using a marked crosswalk on 54th Avenue North in St. Petersburg.

The unidentified man was walking south in a marked crosswalk on westbound 54^th Avenue North at 81^st Street North, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. 

Maria Bekala, 50, had stopped her Saturn to allow for the man to cross the street. Bekala was stopped in the inside lane of 54th Aevnue North.

Jon Smith, 59, of St. Petersburg, meanwhile, had been driving in the inside ane on 54th Avenue North, according to police.

Smith traveled into the middle westbound lane to pass Bekala's vehicle, then traveled back into the inside lane.  The front left of his ca5 collided with the pedestrian who sustained critical injuries.

The victim later died at the hospital. The investigation continues.