Trooper Detains Driver After Pinellas Park Chase
A Florida Highway Patrol trooper detained a 23-year-old driver following a high-speed pursuit and crash in Pinellas Park.
Updated on Oct. 31, 2026 in Law Enforcement
On Oct. 20, a Florida Highway Patrol trooper in an unmarked vehicle clocked a driver at 92 mph on U.S. 19 and pursued him after the driver crashed into a concrete barrier and guardrail. The suspect fled on foot and was detained with help from a good Samaritan who offered the trooper a ride.
Why it matters
The suspect did not have a Florida driver's license and had an active Pinellas County arrest warrant for failure to appear in court. The incident highlights the risks of high-speed pursuits involving drivers with outstanding warrants.
The suspect was placed under arrest at 11:40 a.m. and transported to Northside Hospital for evaluation before being taken to the Pinellas County Jail. He had an active Pinellas County arrest warrant for failure to appear in court, and the specific charges from the chase have not been detailed.
The players
Dalawn Damon Washington
Washington is a 23-year-old St. Petersburg resident who was arrested after the chase and held on an outstanding Pinellas County warrant.
Florida Highway Patrol
The Florida Highway Patrol is the state law enforcement agency responsible for traffic enforcement on Florida's highways, including the trooper involved in this pursuit.
The details
The trooper spotted the vehicle traveling at 92 mph, and the driver crashed into a concrete barrier wall before striking a guardrail near State Road 690. The driver fled the damaged vehicle, jumped the guardrail, and ran down an embankment, and the trooper pursued on foot until a good Samaritan offered him a ride in his truck.
Timeline
Oct. 20: Trooper spotted the vehicle, and the chase and crash occurred.
Saturday: Law enforcement released video footage of the incident.
11:40 a.m.: Suspect Washington was placed under arrest.
Legal Context
High-speed pursuits by Florida Highway Patrol troopers are governed by state traffic enforcement practices, which weigh the danger of chases against the need to apprehend fleeing drivers. This case shows how a driver with an outstanding warrant and no valid license can trigger a pursuit that ends in a crash and a foot chase.
Residents along U.S. 19 and State Road 690 may see continued traffic enforcement as troopers monitor for reckless driving. Drivers with outstanding warrants face arrest even after fleeing on foot, and the case shows the consequences of driving without a valid license.
The takeaway
Driving without a valid license while carrying an active warrant can quickly turn a traffic stop into a chase with serious consequences. Drivers should keep their license current and resolve court obligations promptly to avoid such encounters.
Further reading
Explore more Law Enforcement coverage from the Pinellas Park area.
