Available 
St. Petersburg, FL (May 31, 2026) – One man died, and two others suffered life-threatening injuries early Sunday morning following a three-vehicle collision on 18th Avenue South near 29th Street South in St. Petersburg.
According to police, the fatal wreck happened around 1:15 a.m. on May 31. Investigators said a Mercedes sedan driven by 43-year-old Cleveland Sanders was traveling westbound on 18th Avenue South when the vehicle crossed the median and struck an eastbound Nissan sedan head-on.
The Nissan was driven by 27-year-old Clifford Washington. A passenger, 26-year-old Dy’Jean Roberts, was also inside the car at the time of the collision. Police said a third vehicle, an Oldsmobile driven by 50-year-old Terrell Burney, was also traveling westbound and later struck the front of the Nissan after the roadway had already become blocked by the earlier crash.
Roberts was taken to Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital, where he later died. Sanders and Washington both suffered critical injuries before being airlifted to Tampa General Hospital for additional treatment. Burney was treated at the scene and later released.
The story is still developing, and more information may be updated as it becomes available. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Dy’Jean Roberts.
How Median Crossovers Often Lead to Severe Head-On Collisions
Crashes involving vehicles crossing medians are frequently among the most dangerous roadway collisions because opposing traffic may have little or no time to react. Head-on impacts often produce severe injuries due to the combined speed and force of both vehicles at the moment of contact.
Secondary collisions can also occur after the initial impact, especially during overnight hours when visibility is reduced. Drivers approaching a blocked roadway may struggle to stop in time if damaged vehicles remain in travel lanes. Investigators commonly review roadway evidence, vehicle speeds, lighting conditions, and possible driver impairment or distraction when examining median-crossing crashes. Urban corridors with multiple lanes and limited barriers can increase the likelihood of cross-median collisions when drivers lose control or drift from their lane unexpectedly.
