News Summary
A tow truck driver has been arrested following a tragic accident in St. Petersburg that resulted in multiple fatalities and severe injuries. George Aponte, 45, faces charges of vehicular homicide after the crash that killed ShaKesha and Dilean Desence. A 9-year-old boy, Daylan, was seriously injured during the incident. This arrest highlights ongoing safety concerns for pedestrians in the area, prompting calls for greater accountability among drivers.
St. Petersburg, FL – A tragic accident involving a tow truck and a fatal pedestrian incident has resulted in the arrest of a local tow truck driver, following multiple fatalities and severe injuries. George Aponte, a 45-year-old tow truck driver from Clearwater, was arrested on May 28, 2025, and now faces serious charges, including two counts of vehicular homicide and one count of reckless driving causing serious bodily injury.
The incident leading to Aponte’s arrest occurred on October 15, 2024, at the intersection of 5th Avenue South and 20th Street South in St. Petersburg. During this crash, ShaKesha Desence, 35, and her father, Dilean Desence, 72, lost their lives. A 9-year-old boy, Daylan Desence, who was also in the vehicle, suffered critical injuries that resulted in a hospitalization of nearly four months at All Children’s Hospital before being released.
Authorities have stated that Aponte was using his phone and driving at an estimated speed of 60 mph in a 35 mph zone at the time of the crash. Reports indicate that the Desence family was returning from a dentist appointment when their Honda CR-V turned in front of Aponte’s tow truck. The crash resulted in ShaKesha being ejected from the vehicle and subsequently being pronounced dead at the hospital, while Dilean was declared dead at the scene.
Daylan Desence sustained serious injuries, including a broken hip, and now requires the use of a wheelchair for mobility. The emotional toll of the accident has had a profound impact on the child and his family, particularly on his uncle and current caretaker, Deon Desence, as they navigate the loss of family members.
In a separate incident days before Aponte’s arrest, a woman was fatally struck by a Ford F-150 truck while crossing 34th Street N. in St. Petersburg on a Tuesday night. The 56-year-old victim stepped into the path of the vehicle just after 10 p.m. in the 400 block of 34th Street N. She was transported to Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital, where she was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. The driver of the Ford F-150 remained at the scene and complied with police requests.
Aponte’s arrest reflects the ongoing concerns regarding traffic safety in the area, particularly for pedestrians and families. Investigators have noted Aponte’s history of traffic violations, with at least six citations in the past five years, as they consider the potential legal ramifications of both incidents.
The case has been forwarded to the State Attorney’s Office for further action, with the Desence family actively seeking justice following the tragic loss of their loved ones. The combination of these two recent incidents underscores significant issues of road safety and driver accountability in St. Petersburg.
As this situation continues to unfold, community members are reminded of the importance of road safety for both drivers and pedestrians alike. The consequences of reckless driving can have devastating impacts, as illustrated by these heartbreaking events.
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Additional Resources
- Fox 13 News: Clearwater Tow Truck Driver Arrested
- Google Search: Traffic Accidents St Petersburg
- AOL News: St. Petersburg Traffic Alert
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Traffic Safety
- Fox 13 News: Family Seeks Justice
- Google News: Vehicular Homicide
- Iontb: Tow Truck Driver Arrested
- Google Scholar: Vehicular Accidents
- WFLA: One Dead After Crash between Motorcycle and Semi-Truck
- Wikipedia: Traffic Accident
Author: STAFF HERE PETERSBURG WRITER
ST PETERSBURG STAFF WRITER The ST PETERSBURG STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREStPetersburg.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in St Petersburg, Pinellas County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, Localtopia, and SHINE Mural Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce and St. Pete Downtown Partnership, plus leading businesses in finance, manufacturing, and healthcare that power the local economy such as Raymond James Financial, Jabil, and Bayfront Health St. Petersburg. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREOrlando.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
