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St. Petersburg, FL (May 6, 2026) – A 29-year-old woman lost her life in an early morning crash on Wednesday along Dr. MLK Jr. Street South in St. Petersburg.
The incident occurred shortly after 2 a.m. on May 6, in the 900 block near a convenience store parking lot. A white Toyota Camry was backing out of the lot when it entered the roadway and was struck on the passenger side by a black Jeep Wrangler traveling southbound.
Tamara Williams, 29, of St. Petersburg, was a passenger in the Toyota and was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the Toyota and a passenger in the Jeep were taken to a hospital with minor injuries. The Jeep driver was not injured and remained at the scene.
Authorities continue to investigate the cause of the crash, and more details will be released as soon as they become available.
Our condolences go out to Tamara’s loved ones.
How Parking Lot Exits Can Lead to Roadway Crashes
Crashes near parking lot exits can happen when vehicles enter active traffic lanes without enough space or time. Drivers leaving lots may have limited visibility, especially if other cars or structures block their view.
On busy streets, traffic may move steadily, making it harder to merge safely. A vehicle already on the road may not have time to slow down or avoid a collision.
The angle of entry also affects how these crashes occur. When a vehicle enters from a side position, it can be struck on the side, increasing the risk of serious injury to passengers.
