St. Petersburg man charged in death of Pinellas Park cyclist

PINELLAS PARK — Police said Sunday they arrested a man for DUI manslaughter after he hit and killed a woman on a bicycle Saturday night.

The crash took place at approximately 11:30 p.m. in the 9600 block of 49th Street N, the Pinellas Park Police Department said. The bicyclist, Jacqueline Hearns, 57, of Pinellas Park, was crossing 49th Street with her bike lights on. Anthony Messina Jr., 31, of St. Petersburg, was driving his vehicle south on 49th Street when he struck Hearns, police said.

Hearns was pronounced dead at the scene.

Messina showed signs of alcohol impairment, and speed is also believed to be a factor in the crash, officers said.

They said a second collision occurred in the northbound lanes of 49th Street due to the initial crash. A driver in the second crash was arrested and charged with DUI. No one was injured in the second crash, officers said.

Messina previously has been arrested three times for DUI, including after a crash with no injuries, according to Pinellas County records.