August 30, 2025

St. Petersburg Sees Alarming DUI Incidents Over Weekend

News Summary

Over the weekend, St. Petersburg experienced two significant DUI incidents, one resulting in fatalities and the other leading to property damage. A 30-year-old man crashed into a sign while impaired, and a separate incident involved a fatal crash where a passenger lost their life. These events have raised serious concerns about impaired driving in the community, highlighting the ongoing need for awareness and preventative measures against DUI.

St. Petersburg witnessed two separate incidents over the weekend involving drivers arrested for DUI, with one resulting in fatalities and serious injuries. Both incidents have raised concerns about impaired driving and its consequences on the community.

DUI Crash Involving Property Damage

The first incident occurred early Friday morning, around 3:30 a.m., at the intersection of Dali Boulevard and 4th Street South. Sean Coughlin, a 30-year-old man, was arrested after crashing his blue GMC Hummer into a sign. Law enforcement officers on the scene reported observing Coughlin with bloodshot, watery eyes and a dazed expression. Additionally, he exhibited signs of impairment during field sobriety tests, including being unsteady on his feet and smelling of alcohol. Fortunately, Coughlin did not sustain any injuries in the collision.

Coughlin is facing charges related to DUI involving property damage. While the details regarding the extent of the damages to the sign were not provided, photographs taken at the scene showed it visibly damaged at the bottom. The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) is currently conducting an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash.

Fatal Crash Resulting from DUI

In a more tragic incident, Kyle Hill, a 33-year-old man, was arrested on Sunday night after being involved in a fatal crash that took place shortly after 8 p.m. on 34th Street North. Hill was driving a Nissan Armada when he collided with a Honda Accord operated by a 35-year-old man. In this incident, the collision was severe enough to send the Honda off-road, where it struck a concrete pole that subsequently fell onto the vehicle. Hill then lost control of his Nissan Armada, overturning it multiple times after hitting a tree.

Sadly, a passenger in the Honda Accord, identified as Arislenne Blanco, was pronounced dead at the scene. Both the driver of the Honda and Hill sustained serious injuries and were transported to the hospital. Hill is facing charges of DUI manslaughter, vehicular homicide, and violation of probation as a result of this incident.

Background Context on Impaired Driving in St. Petersburg

This is not the first occurrence of impaired driving leading to tragic outcomes in St. Petersburg. Earlier this year, on January 22, Paul Miller, a 37-year-old man, succumbed to injuries nearly a week after being struck by a suspected impaired driver, Michael Aoun, age 34. Aoun lost control of his minivan while speeding and hit a statue and a light pole before colliding with Miller while he was working on Dali Boulevard. Aoun was arrested on charges of DUI causing serious injury and reckless driving, before being released on a $50,000 bond.

Following Miller’s death, additional charges against Aoun are pending, highlighting the ongoing dangers of impaired driving and its severe impact on the local community.

As law enforcement continues to address DUI incidents seriously, the need for public awareness and preventative measures remains crucial. The recent events serve as a somber reminder of the potential consequences associated with driving under the influence.

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Additional Resources

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.

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STAFF HERE PETERSBURG WRITER

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