On Wednesday night in St. Pete Beach, a woman was left fighting for her life after deputies say a southbound SUV struck her on Gulf Boulevard near 44th Avenue and then kept going. The victim, identified by investigators as 56-year-old Paula Poe, was found along the southbound curb and rushed to a local hospital in critical condition. A short time later, authorities located the suspected vehicle and arrested the driver, who now faces a stack of criminal charges.
Scene And Response
Deputies with the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office Major Accident Investigation Team (MAIT) responded to the intersection late Wednesday and reported finding debris in the roadway and other evidence consistent with a vehicle strike, according to the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office. Investigators say the suspected vehicle, a 2019 Cadillac Escalade, was later tracked down in a hotel parking lot in Tierra Verde. MAIT is now piecing together exactly how the crash unfolded and how the SUV left the scene.
Suspect Arrested And Charges
Deputies identified the driver as 43-year-old Margaret Barah Gardner, also known as Margaret Barah Smith, who was taken into custody and transported to the Pinellas County Jail, Tampa Free Press reported. Authorities say Gardner showed signs of impairment and performed poorly on field sobriety tests. She now faces charges that include driving under the influence, leaving the scene of a crash with serious bodily injury, and refusal to submit to testing. Officials have not released any information on bail, and the case remains under active investigation.
Victim Condition And Family Notifications
According to the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office, the woman who was struck was transported to a nearby hospital, where she remains in critical condition, and next of kin have been notified. Investigators told reporters that her injuries are consistent with being struck by a motor vehicle. MAIT detectives are asking anyone with dash-cam footage or additional information about the collision to contact them to help move the investigation forward.
Legal Stakes
Under Florida law, drivers involved in crashes that injure others are required to stop, provide aid, and exchange information. Failing to do that when someone suffers serious bodily injury can be charged as a felony, with potential penalties that include lengthy prison sentences, according to Florida Statute 316.027. Prosecutors will ultimately decide what charges to pursue based on the evidence MAIT collects, including any indication of impairment or other aggravating circumstances.
What Comes Next
MAIT investigators say their work is far from over and are urging witnesses to come forward. The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office and local media are expected to post updates as the charging decisions are finalized and as Poe’s hospital status changes, according to reporting by the Tampa Free Press. Authorities say the arrest capped an hours-long search for the SUV, and more details will be released as they process physical evidence and complete witness and suspect interviews.
