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

Joshua Kohlbecker (Driver – Arrested)
DOB: 8/22/1980
Address: 3832 41^st Street North, St. Petersburg
Vehicle: 2015 Ford F150
Charges: DUI Manslaughter, Vehicular Homicide, and Felony DWLSR causing Death

Ernie Agbanlog (Driver - Injured)
DOB: 11/21/1997
Vehicle: 2001 Ford Mustang

Rosario Malicon (Passenger - Deceased) 
DOB: 2/2/1971
Vehicle: 2001 Ford Mustang

PINELLAS COUNTY – On Tuesday, July 16, 2024, deputies assigned to the Major Accident Investigation Team (MAIT) responded to the intersection of Bay Pines Boulevard and 100^th Way North in Seminole to investigate a fatal crash. 

According to investigators, at approximately 9:21 p.m., numerous vehicles were stopped for a red light in the eastbound lanes of Bay Pines Boulevard at 100^th Way North. A 2015 Ford F150, driven by 43-year-old Joshua Kohlbecker, was traveling eastbound on Bay Pines Boulevard at a high rate of speed. Kohlbecker failed to stop and struck a yellow Ford Mustang, occupied by a driver, 26-year-old Ernie Aganlog, and a passenger, 53-year-old Rosario Malicon. The impact caused a chain reaction, and the Mustang was projected forward, striking two vehicles. These two vehicles were pushed into five additional vehicles that were stopped at the red light. There were multiple occupants in the seven additional vehicles involved, however there were no serious injuries.  

The initial impact of the F150 and the Mustang caused a large fire and both vehicles were immediately engulfed in flames. An off-duty Polk County Sheriff’s Office Sergeant extricated Kohlbecker from the F150. Bystanders extricated Agbanlog from the Mustang. Malicon was unable to be extricated.

Kohlbecker and Agbanlog were transported to the hospital with serious, but non-life-threatening injuries. Malicon was pronounced deceased at the scene. Next of kin was notified.

Speed and impairment were factors in the crash. Upon release from the hospital, Kohlbecker was arrested and charged with DUI Manslaughter, Vehicular Homicide, and Felony DWLSR causing Death. He was transported to the Pinellas County Jail.

The investigation continues.