Clearwater man involved in 4 hit-and-run crashes had revoked driver's license, police say

CLEARWATER, Fla. (FOX 13) - A Clearwater man was arrested after leaving behind a trail of hit-and-run crashes along U.S. Highway 19 Tuesday morning, police said.

There were a total of four hit-and-run crashes in the northbound lanes of U.S. 19, according to Clearwater police. The first occurred near Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard around 10:40 a.m. Police said 52-year-old Jason Mizerski fled from the crash, then was involved in another one between Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard and Drew Street.

He fled from that crash, too, then struck another vehicle south of State Road 590. Mizerski was transported to Bayfront Health St. Petersburg after he was found unresponsive inside his 2011 Chevrolet Silverado. Investigators believe he was under the influence of drugs during the time of the crashes.

"He just left behind a mangled mess everywhere he went and basically he showed no care or concern for anybody else other than himself," said Rob Shaw, a spokesperson for the Clearwater Police Department.

Officers said Mizerski was unconscious when he was arrested. A witness to one of the crashes can't believe someone could be so dangerous.

"That was one of the craziest things I've ever seen in my life," said Zack Johns, who said it's a miracle no one died in the accident he saw happen. "Just seeing the craziness in the world and how people are and what they do. I mean the guy hit her like it was nothing and just kept going on. They need to bar him up for a while."

Prior to Tuesday’s string of crashes, police said his driver’s license was permanently revoked following at least four DUI charges. Court records show he was arrested for DUI in 1988, 1995, 1996 and May 2018. He also faced other suspensions including refusing to submit for testing and excessive points from traffic violations. Mizerski is also on probation for felony DUI.

Following Tuesday’s arrest, Mizerski faces at least 10 charges, including DUI with property damage. Two people were transported to local hospitals, but there is no word on their conditions.

During his first appearance, Mizerski, who is in jail without a bond, asked Judge Pat Siracusa he would consider setting a bond.

"Mr. Mizurski, you've been on probation for DUI and your driver's license was permanently revoked and the allegation is that you were a one-man crash derby down U.S. 19, no I'm not going to give you a bond in this case. You know that," Judge Siracusa told him, while also setting some clear limits if Mizerski ever does have a bond set and gets out of jail. "You may not operate a motor vehicle. No cars, no boats, no go-ped, not a moped, not a plane, not a train, not a jet ski. You may not operate anything that's not powered by your own two feet."

Mizerki will have his bond revisited within 48 hours after he has met with his attorney.