Who:
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
Patrol Operations Bureau

Edgar A. Hidalgo (Driver- Arrested)
DOB: 6/26/1985
Address: 8420 Isles Worth Court, Sarasota
Charges: One count of Leaving Scene of Crash with Property Damage, one count of DUI, and one count of Possession of a Controlled Substance (Cocaine)

Shawn L. Whiting (Passenger)
DOB: 10/3/1987
Address: 20 Wall Terrace, Redington Shores

What:
Pinellas deputies have arrested a Sarasota man after he crashed a moving truck into a St. Pete Beach hotel and fled the scene.

When:
Deputies received the call at about 12:49 a.m. on Friday, October 13, 2017.

The suspect was arrested at about 2:15 a.m. on Friday, October 13, 2017.

Where:
The incident occurred at Hotel Zamora located at 3701 Gulf Boulevard in St. Pete Beach.

Why/How:
Pinellas deputies have arrested a Sarasota man after he crashed a moving truck into a St. Pete Beach hotel and fled the scene.

According to deputies, they responded to Hotel Zamora located 3701 Gulf Boulevard in St. Pete Beach, at about 12:49 a.m. on October 13, 2017, for a report of a U-Haul moving truck that struck  the building and fled the scene.

When deputies arrived there was substantial structure damage to the parking garage drop ceiling at the hotel. Witnesses provided deputies with a description of the moving truck.

Shortly afterward, deputies stopped a 10 foot U-Haul truck with roof damage, driving north on Gulf Winds Drive at 64^th Avenue in St. Pete Beach. Deputies made contact with the driver of the truck, 32-year-old Edgar Hidalgo, and his passenger 30-year-old Shawn Whiting.

Deputies interviewed Hidalgo and he admitted to the crash. Hidalgo told deputies he attended a party at Hotel Zamora. After the party, Hidalgo was driving Whiting to her car in the parking garage when he stuck the parking garage drop ceiling with the roof of the U-Haul truck. Hidalgo said he fled the scene and hid the truck in the area until deputies left the area.

Hidalgo told deputies he was planning to move to Miami the same morning.

Hidalgo was arrested and transported to the Pinellas County Jail without incident.

Hidalgo was charged with one count of leaving scene of crash with property damage, one count of DUI, and one count of possession of a controlled substance (cocaine).

The investigation continues. 

Booking photo of Edgar Hidalgo.