St. Pete Beach police investigating crash

ST. PETE BEACH -- A van hit two pedestrians as they walked along a sidewalk on Blind Pass Road about 11:30 this morning, sending three people to local hospitals, police said.

Seth and Heather Whalley of Charlotte, N.C., were walking on the sidewalk when the van jumped the curb and drove a short distance before hitting the couple from behind. The van hit a palm tree and rolled onto its left side. The victims were listed in critical condition at Bayfront Medical Center.

 

The driver of the brown Chevrolet van, Aaron Rimar of St. Pete Beach, was taken to Bayfront with non-life threatening injuries. Police said they don't know why he drove off the road. Charges are pending.

-- Abhi Raghunathan, Times staff writer