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Several injured after stolen car crashes into undercover police truck in St. Petersburg, authorities say

 
Published March 14, 2016

ST. PETERSBURG — Six young people and two police officers were hurt when a speeding stolen car crashed into an undercover police truck at Central Avenue and 54th Street shortly after midnight, police said.

A 2016 Toyota Corolla northbound on 54th Street smashed into the front end the undercover vehicle, a Dodge Ram that was headed west on Central Avenue. The driver of the Corolla, Jamal Parker, 25, had failed to yield at a stop sign, police said. He is in critical condition at the hospital.

Also in the Corolla and hurt in the crash, according to police: Tyrek Philips, 17; Alisiya Webb, 18; Braniyah Florence, 15; Aria King, 15; and Keeyana King, 17.

Two officers, one from Tampa police and one from St. Petersburg police, were in the undercover truck, according to authorities. Both are members of a multi-agency auto theft task force, police said, but were not in pursuit of the stolen car. The St. Petersburg officer was treated and released before 7 a.m., authorities said. The Tampa officer, who had been in the passenger's seat, was taken to Bayfront Health St. Petersburg with serious injuries but was expected to survive.

The Corolla was reported stolen March 11 from 2120 27th St. S, police said.

Two-block sections of Central Avenue and 54th Street were still closed about 6 a.m. Monday. The wrecked sedan sat in the westbound lanes of Central, with the damaged truck nearby on the north side of the road.