Driver fled traffic stop before striking pole and building in Treasure Island
March 28, 2026 | Treasure Island, FL
Treasure Island, Florida, saw a dramatic incident when a driver evaded police, leading to a severe crash that hospitalized six individuals.
The accident unfolded along Gulf Boulevard, highlighting the dangers of impaired driving and fleeing law enforcement.
Milan John Racak, 42, was charged after a crash on Gulf Boulevard near 104th Avenue in Treasure Island that injured six people.
What Happened in the Crash?
Authorities from the Treasure Island Police Department reported that Milan John Racak, 42, was operating an Audi A7 at excessive speeds. When an officer attempted to pull him over, Racak accelerated away.
- Date and Time: Saturday night, around 9:56 p.m.
- Location: Gulf Boulevard near 104th Avenue, Treasure Island, FL
- Sequence of the Crash: Racak lost control, struck a utility pole, and collided with a vacant building, causing extensive structural damage.
- Injuries: Six occupants were transported to hospitals, four to a local trauma center, and two to other facilities. All injuries non-life-threatening.
- Suspect Status: Racak received medical treatment before booking into Pinellas County Jail.
The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office Major Accident Investigation Team is leading the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the collision.
Why Do These Accidents Happen?
Impaired driving remains a leading cause of roadway incidents, often exacerbated by attempts to evade authorities. Such actions not only endanger the driver but also innocent bystanders.
Statistic |
Value |
Source |
|---|
Percentage of fatal crashes due to impaired driving |
10% |
National Safety Council |
Ranking of impaired driving as a cause of automobile fatalities |
Second-leading |
National Safety Council |
Annual impaired driving fatalities in the U.S. |
Over 10,000 |
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) |
Legal Insights
In cases such as this involving impaired drivers who flee traffic stops, legal consequences can be severe, alongside potential civil remedies for those harmed.
"Drunken and drugged drivers are subject to criminal charges following an accident or collision that causes harm or kills another person," explained Candice Bond, managing partner at Bond Legal.
- Criminal Charges: DUI, fleeing or eluding with serious bodily injury or death, and two counts of DUI with serious bodily injury.
- Civil Options: Victims may pursue compensation for medical bills, lost income, pain, and suffering through personal injury claims.
- Insurance Challenges: Companies often resist full payouts, and experienced representation ensures accountability.
"Injured victims involved in a collision often seek a personal injury claim to cover the cost of medical bills, future medical care, loss of income, emotional trauma, and pain and suffering," said Stefano Formica, of counsel with Bond Legal.
"Insurance companies can be notoriously unconcerned with the mounting costs that an injured party may accrue. An attorney can help. We protect the victims of these tragedies daily, forcing the insurance companies to pay for their mistakes," he added.
These insights underscore the preventable nature of such crashes and the importance of holding responsible parties accountable.
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If you, a friend, or a family member has been injured by a hit-and-run or drunk driver, contact national legal analyst Candice Bond for a free consultation.
(Candice Bond, our national legal analyst, is a Managing Partner at Bond Legal. Newsline can and does use quotes from prior interviews with our analysts for our news articles. If you would like to contact Bond Legal to help you, please call 866-985-6515 or use the submission box found on this page. Legal analysts quoted may or may not be licensed in your state).