Pedestrian Dies After St. Pete DUI Crash

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — A 55-year-old man hit by an accused drunk driver during a Saturday crash on 5th Avenue North has died from his injuries. St. Petersburg Police announced Thomas Vaughn’s death Tuesday morning.

The crash that initially hospitalized Vaughn occurred around 6 p.m. Dec. 17 in the 3000 block of 5th Avenue North. Police say Joseph Kenneth Deegan, 45, was driving a 2003 Lincoln Aviator eastbound at that time. As Deegan approached the 29th Street North intersection, Vaughn was crossing 4th Avenue near 29th Street, police said.

Deegan did not see Vaughn, police said, and hit him. Vaughn was taken to a local hospital for treatment, but died from his injuries early Tuesday morning, an email from the police department said.

An evaluation of Deegan was conducted following the accident. Police determined he was driving under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash. Deegan was charged with DUI with serious bodily injury. He was released from the Pinellas County Jail on Dec. 18 after posting $5,000 bond, jail records indicate.

It is unclear at this time if additional charges will be filed following Vaughn’s death.

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