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St. Pete man found dead inside truck submerged in bay identified: SPPD

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ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — A St. Petersburg man was found dead inside a pickup truck on Saturday after he crashed through a guard rail and landed in Tampa Bay, St. Petersburg police officials said.

The man was identified as 35-year-old David Hawkins.

According to a St. Petersburg Police Department (SPPD) report, shortly before 7:30 a.m., a caller reported a pickup truck upside down in Tampa Bay near the shore at 62nd Avenue North and Bayou Grande Boulevard.

SPPD officials said Hawkins was driving eastbound on 62nd Avenue Northeast in a Ford pickup truck to where the roadway ends. The Ford then went through the guardrail and into the grassy area where it struck some trees and then went into the water.

St. Pete Fire Rescue also responded and found Hawkins' body was found inside the truck.

The truck was not reported stolen, police officials said.

The investigation is still ongoing.

Questions remain after FHP pursuit ends in crash that kills teen passenger

The crash has left many in the New Port Richey community in shock and mourning, while also raising questions about the pursuit itself and the decision to use a PIT maneuver.

Questions remain after FHP pursuit ends in crash that kills teen passenger