PINELLAS PARK — A 27-year-old man died after fleeing a minor crash and then running a stop sign and striking a tree, according to Pinellas Park police.
Yower Malvarez was driving a 2002 GMC Sierra when he collided with a 2024 Hyundai Sonata around 10:09 p.m. Dec. 12 at U.S. 19 and Gandy Boulevard, police said.
Malvarez fled the scene, police said. Shortly after, he failed to stop at a stop sign at Gateway Center Parkway and Gateway Center Boulevard and hit a tree, according to police.
He was taken to a hospital, where he died, police said.
The driver of the Hyundai stayed at the scene and wasn’t injured, police said. That driver cooperated with investigators.
Speed appeared to be a factor in the crash, but impairment did not, according to police.