***UPDATE as of May 28, 2024, at 9:30 p.m. ***

Willie Lee Daniels (Suspect – Arrested)
DOB: 01/06/1983
Vehicle: 2014 BMW X1
Charges: DUI with Serious Bodily Injury, Reckless Driving with Serious Bodily Injury, and Fleeing & Eluding with Serious Bodily Injury.   

PINELLAS COUNTY – On May 28, 2024, at approximately 1:00 p.m., deputies assigned to the Major Accident Investigation Team (MAIT) arrested 41-year-old Willie Lee Daniels in connection to the serious injury traffic crash at East Bay Drive and North Missouri Avenue on May 18^th. 

Daniels is charged with three counts of Driving Under the Influence (DUI) with Serious Bodily Injury, three counts of Reckless Driving with Serious Bodily Injury, and three counts of Fleeing & Eluding with Serious Bodily Injury.

Daniels was transported to the Pinellas County Jail.

The investigation continues.

Daniel's Booking photo below: 

***End of Update***

ORIGINAL RELEASE

Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
Patrol Operations Bureau
- Major Accident Investigation Team (MAIT)

Willie Lee Daniels (Driver / Suspect – Injured)
DOB: 01/06/1983
Vehicle: 2014 BMW X1
Charges: Pending    

Derrick Gil (Driver / Life-Threatening Injuries)
Age: 25
Employer: Med Fleet Ambulance
Vehicle: 2014 Ford E350

Ashley Markel (Passenger / Serious Injuries)
Age: 28
Employer: Med Fleet Ambulance
Vehicle: 2014 Ford E350
 

PINELLAS COUNTY – On May 18, 2024, at approximately 2:48 a.m., deputies assigned to the Major Accident Investigation Team responded to the area of East Bay Drive and North Missouri Avenue to investigate a two-vehicle crash involving an ambulance, with life-threatening injuries.

According to investigators, at approximately 2:44 a.m., deputies attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a 2014 BMW X1 for a traffic violation, near Ridge Road and Ulmerton Road. The driver, 41-year-old Willie Lee Daniels, initially stopped for deputies but quickly conducted a U-turn and fled the traffic stop at a high rate of speed. Daniels fled, traveling north on Seminole Boulevard from Ulmerton Road. The deputy did not pursue Daniels, he deactivated his lights and sirens, and resumed normal driving.

Investigators state a 2014 Ford E350 Med Fleet Ambulance, driven by 25-year-old Derrick Gil, was traveling westbound on East Bay Drive, east of North Missouri Avenue. In the rear of the ambulance was a 70-year-old patient, who was being treated by 28-year-old Medic Ashley Markel.

Investigators advise the ambulance was traveling at approximately 35 MPH when it entered the intersection of East Bay Drive and North Missouri Avenue, with a solid green traffic signal. Daniels, who was traveling north on Seminole Boulevard, entered the intersection, striking the ambulance at a high rate of speed, causing it to rotate and turn on its side.

Gil was transported to the hospital with life-threatening injuries.

Markel, Daniels, and the patient in the ambulance were transported to the hospital with serious, non-life-threatening injuries. 

Criminal charges are pending.

According to investigators, speed and impairment of Daniels appear to be factors in the crash.

The investigation continues.