A Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority bus operator drove through a red light in St. Petersburg on Saturday, causing a crash that killed a woman riding in an SUV, troopers said.
Israel J. Sanabria, 38, of Pinellas Park was driving the PSTA bus west on Roosevelt Boulevard about 8:40 p.m. and stopped at a red light at Lake Carillon Drive, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The light was still red when the driver tried to make a left turn and entered the path of a driver heading east on Roosevelt in a Nissan Armada, troopers said.
The Armada crashed into the bus. Sanabria, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was thrown from the bus. A 57-year-old Clearwater woman who was riding in the Nissan was seriously injured and later died at a hospital.
Sanabria and a 57-year-old Clearwater man driving the Nissan were also taken to the hospital with injuries.
The Highway Patrol did not release the names of the people in the Nissan or provide information about whether the PSTA driver has been cited. A patrol spokesperson said Monday that the investigation was ongoing.
A PSTA spokesperson on Monday did not answer questions from the Tampa Bay Times about Sanabria’s job status and directed a reporter to the Highway Patrol.
“PSTA extends its condolences to those affected and is cooperating with investigators as they review this incident,” the statement said.