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Driver arrested after Clearwater hit-and-run crash injures motorcyclist

The woman drove off after hitting two motorcyclists, according to Clearwater police.
 
Clearwater police say they located the driver of this damaged BMW who is accused of crashing into the back of two motorcyclists who were stopped on State Road 590. The driver was arrested and the car was impounded.
Clearwater police say they located the driver of this damaged BMW who is accused of crashing into the back of two motorcyclists who were stopped on State Road 590. The driver was arrested and the car was impounded. [ Clearwater Police Department ]
Published Sept. 26, 2020|Updated Sept. 26, 2020

CLEARWATER — A 47-year-old woman is accused of crashing into the back of two stopped motorcyclists Friday night, then driving off and leaving one of them in critical condition, police say.

Paula Rowe was arrested Saturday on two counts of leaving the scene of a crash involving injury, hours after Clearwater police say the incident took place about 8:30 p.m. on State Road 590 at Lucas Drive, east of U.S. 19.

Paula Rowe, 47, was arrested on two counts of leaving the scene of a crash involving injury, according to Clearwater police.
Paula Rowe, 47, was arrested on two counts of leaving the scene of a crash involving injury, according to Clearwater police. [ Pinellas County Sheriff's Office ]

The motorcycles were headed east on S.R. 590 and waiting to turn left onto Lucas Drive, officials said, when a 2007 4-door BMW also headed east failed to stop for them and ended up hitting them from the rear.

The woman driving the car got out briefly, then got back in and drove away, police said, leaving the two motorcyclists lying on the road. Officers then started searching for the driver and car.

One of the motorcyclists, a 62-year-old man, was flown to Bayfront Health St. Petersburg hospital for medical treatment. He had “potential life-threatening" injuries, officials said. He was reported to be in critical condition on Saturday. The other motorcyclist was treated by paramedics at the scene.

The crash scene temporarily closed S.R. 590 between West Virginia Lane and Thomas Drive while an investigation was conducted.

Rowe called Clearwater police just before 8 a.m. Saturday, according to the agency, and said she left the scene of the crash because she was “scared.” Her BMW later broke down, police said, and she had it towed to her apartment complex.

She was arrested and her damaged BMW was impounded, police say.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the Clearwater Police Department at (727) 562-4242.