Topline: Police say a St. Petersburg garbage truck driver backed into an alley where people were sleeping, then drove away after fatally striking a woman.
Published: June 3, 2026 4:30 pm ET
Randy Shaw
I cut my teeth in journalism when I began looking into what I saw as abuses of power in my local government. From then on, I was hooked on the dopamine rush of uncovering information.
Must Read
Nathan Brown (via Pinellas County Sheriff's Office)
ST. PETERSBURG, FL — Nathan Brown, 51, was arrested Saturday after authorities said he ran over and killed a woman while operating a city garbage truck in downtown St. Petersburg.
An arrest affidavit says a bystander warned Brown that people were sleeping in the alley he was preparing to reverse into. The alley is on 3rd Street North between Central Avenue and 1st Avenue North, a commercial stretch that includes Jannus Live, Black Cattle Burger and other downtown businesses.
Despite the warning, Brown allegedly backed down the alley where multiple people were sleeping, loaded the garbage truck and then, as he exited the area, fatally struck a 49-year-old woman.
WFLA reported that Brown left the scene without stopping to render aid or calling 911. He was arrested later Saturday morning, booked into the Pinellas County Jail and is facing a first-degree felony charge of leaving the scene of an accident involving death.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Witness Warned Garbage Truck Driver About People Sleeping in Alley Before Woman Was Run Over, Police Say
Police say a St. Petersburg garbage truck driver backed into an alley where people were sleeping, then drove away after fatally striking a woman.
By Randy Shaw
Published: June 3, 2026 4:30 pm ET
Nathan Brown (via Pinellas County Sheriff's Office)
ST. PETERSBURG, FL — Nathan Brown, 51, was arrested Saturday after authorities said he ran over and killed a woman while operating a city garbage truck in downtown St. Petersburg.
An arrest affidavit says a bystander warned Brown that people were sleeping in the alley he was preparing to reverse into. The alley is on 3rd Street North between Central Avenue and 1st Avenue North, a commercial stretch that includes Jannus Live, Black Cattle Burger and other downtown businesses.
Despite the warning, Brown allegedly backed down the alley where multiple people were sleeping, loaded the garbage truck and then, as he exited the area, fatally struck a 49-year-old woman.
WFLA reported that Brown left the scene without stopping to render aid or calling 911. He was arrested later Saturday morning, booked into the Pinellas County Jail and is facing a first-degree felony charge of leaving the scene of an accident involving death.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
Must Read
Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Witness Warned Garbage Truck Driver About People Sleeping in Alley Before Woman Was Run Over, Police Say
Police say a St. Petersburg garbage truck driver backed into an alley where people were sleeping, then drove away after fatally striking a woman.
By Randy Shaw
Published: June 3, 2026 4:30 pm ET
Nathan Brown (via Pinellas County Sheriff's Office)
ST. PETERSBURG, FL — Nathan Brown, 51, was arrested Saturday after authorities said he ran over and killed a woman while operating a city garbage truck in downtown St. Petersburg.
An arrest affidavit says a bystander warned Brown that people were sleeping in the alley he was preparing to reverse into. The alley is on 3rd Street North between Central Avenue and 1st Avenue North, a commercial stretch that includes Jannus Live, Black Cattle Burger and other downtown businesses.
Despite the warning, Brown allegedly backed down the alley where multiple people were sleeping, loaded the garbage truck and then, as he exited the area, fatally struck a 49-year-old woman.
WFLA reported that Brown left the scene without stopping to render aid or calling 911. He was arrested later Saturday morning, booked into the Pinellas County Jail and is facing a first-degree felony charge of leaving the scene of an accident involving death.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
Must Read
