[Photo by Stephanie Garry | Times]

ST. PETERSBURG — Police say they have arrested the driver of a truck that struck and killed a bicyclist and injured nine others in a hit-and-run crash final night.

Denise Battles, 18, was charged with leaving the scene of a fatal crash and vehicular murder. Police say she took off on foot after the crash and was arrested at a local hospital where she was being treated for minor injuries suffered in the crash.

Police that dawn gave a fuller detail of final night’s fatal hit-and-run accident, saying that the driver did not have a license and that nine citizens were injured.

Police spokesman Bill Proffitt said the incident began when police spotted a 2008 Dodge pickup driving erratically on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Street S approach 22nd Avenue. Police tried to stop the truck, but the driver kept going north "at a very high rate of speed and in a reckless manner." The Dodge had two passengers.

When the truck got to the 1300 Block of King Street, it lost control and slid toward the northwest corner of 13th Avenue S, "went airborne," struck a fire hydrant and flipped.

The truck struck and killed Steven Mincey, 49, of St. Petersburg, who had been riding his bicycle on the north side of King Street. The truck additionally struck several public who were

external approach Ike’s Liquors and four parked vehicles.

The driver of the Dodge ran, but later showed up at Bayfront Medical Center. He left before receiving treatment. Police think they know who he is, but have not released his name. Police ask anyone who knows his whereabouts to sign the division.

Proffitt said police had stopped pursuing the Dodge after its driver began speeding north. He said the two passengers agreed with that history. They told investigators that they had asked the driver to slow down.

Injured at the crash scene and taken to Bayfront were James Lewis, who is in critical condition; Cliford Etheridge, regular condition; Kiwaner Robinson, regular condition; Lucretia Mullan, guarded condition; Shalunda Jenkins, treated and released; and Johnny Hutchins, treated and released.

Three folks were taken to St. Anthony’s Hospital: Michelle Brown, treated and released; Latoya Jackson, treated and released; and Lura Spradley, treated and released.

All of the injured society have St. Petersburg addresses. Ages were not available.

A pickup truck struck and killed a bicyclist late Wednesday after a police officer tried to pull the driver by approach 22nd Avenue and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Street S.  [Photo by Lamar Walker]

View photos from the scene

Watch video

Curtis Krueger, Times staff writer

*