15-year-old driving stolen car crashes into St. Pete officer's patrol car, officials say

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (FOX 13) - A police officer in St. Petersburg is recovering after a driver, traveling in a stolen car, collided into his vehicle.

Police said the crash occurred Monday when a sergeant with the St. Petersburg Police Department was heading west on 18th Avenue South. At one point, stolen blue Toyota Camry was speeding northbound on 7th Street South, and ran a stop sign, investigators said.

The vehicles crashed at the intersection and three people from inside the Camry, along with the sergeant, were taken to a nearby hospital. All injuries appear to be non-life threatening, police said.

The three individuals from inside the vehicle were detained as detectives continue investigating the crash. There is no word on where the vehicle was stolen.

They said the driver was a 15-year-old, who was arrested on outstanding warrants. Charges in regards to the crash will be filed against him, officials said.

"We're having these kids take these cars they don't know how to drive these cars and they're out driving at a high rate of speed and they're gonna hurt someone so it is concerning," said Police Chief Anthony Holloway.

The crash comes a day after a deadly crash involving a stolen car. St. Pete police said a hit-and-run driver crashed into a 26-year-old woman. Phelexis Robinson's car broke down on Martin Luther King Jr. Street. She got out of her car and someone driving a stolen Infinity hit her.

"You just saw your friend get killed, you just heard someone got ran over but, at the same time, you go do the same stupid thing?  It doesn’t make sense,” said Hura Brown, witness to Monday night's crash. "They think RIP is a church song that you play with. RIP means your ass is dead. You’re not coming back home, excuse my French, but that’s how frustrating it is to me.”

The chief said one of the best ways to avoid becoming the next stolen car victim is to never leave your keys or key fob in your vehicle.

Police are still searching for the hit-and-run driver. Anyone with information is asked to call the St. Petersburg Police Department at 727-893-7780.