Driver accused of racing in crash that killed man in St. Petersburg, police say

A St. Petersburg man is facing a vehicular homicide charge after police say he killed a man while he was racing another driver last week.

Charles Williams, 22, was driving an Infiniti Q6 when he hit a Ford Ranger on First Avenue South and 51st Street South on Sept. 11, the St. Petersburg Police Department said in a news release. The driver of the Ford, Corey Koeppen, 52, was ejected from the car and died at the scene.

Investigators determined Williams was racing the driver of a black SUV while driving in a bus lane when he crashed into Koeppen, the news release states. Williams was taken to Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital with serious injuries and was later released. He was arrested Wednesday.

Court records show he has been cited numerous times in Pinellas County since 2017 for traffic violations, including speeding, careless driving, failure to obey a traffic control device and driving without a license.

Detectives are seeking the public’s help identifying the black SUV. Anyone with information can call 727-893-7780 or report an anonymous tip by texting “SPPD + your tip” to TIP411.