Driver Accused of Hitting Officers With Car Still at Large

St. Petersburg Police say Adrian Maurice Lovett, 20, is believed to be the driver accused of hitting three officers with his car on Coquina Key on Monday.

Lovett is 6-foot-2, 130 pounds with a tattoo on his left forearm that says "Hardtime" and tattoos on his right forearm of two tombstones — one that say "RIP Mercedes" and the other which says "RIP Randy" — according to police.

Lovett has prior arrests over the last two years for dealing in stolen
property, possession of marijuana and auto theft, police say.

At the time of the incident, Lovett was driving a silver, four-door sedan, but it's unknown if he still has that car, according to police.

Anyone with information should call the non-emergency number at 727-893-7780, Text-A-Tip to 727-420-8911 or leave a confidential tip at 727-892-5000.

Officers Injured in Monday Night Incident

One officer injured in the incident was treated at a nearby hospital for a mild concussion and released Tuesday. The two other officers struck Monday night were examined at the scene by paramedics, who determined they did not have any significant injuries, police said.

St. Petersburg Police say the silver, four-door sedan approached the intersection of Neptune Drive and Beach Drive Southeast on Coquina Key around 8:45 p.m. Monday night.

The streets were blocked off due to a vehicle accident that knocked down power lines earlier in the night, according to a police spokesperson.

Officers approached the driver of the sedan "and immediately
detected a strong odor of marijuana emanating from the interior of the car," according to police.

Police ordered the man to shut off his car. They then instructed the driver and his male passenger to get out, "however it appeared both subjects were reluctant to comply," Puetz said.

As officers opened the car's passenger door to help the passenger out, the driver restarted the car, placed it into gear and accelerated forward, striking three officers with the still-open car door and careening into a fire rescue truck parked nearby, according to police.

The vehicle fled before it could be pursued.

The passenger who was taken out of the vehicle has been charged with possession of marijuana, police spokesperson Mike Puetz said. He has been identified as Donald Callaway, 26, of St. Petersburg.

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