Driver accused of racing in fatal St. Petersburg crash, police say

A St. Petersburg man faces manslaughter charges after police say he killed a man while racing with another driver last week.

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

Investigators concluded that Williams was racing the driver of a black SUV in a bus lane when he collided with Koeppen, the release said. Williams was taken to Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital with serious injuries and later released. He was arrested on Wednesday.

According to court records, he has been charged with multiple traffic violations in Pinellas County since 2017, including speeding, reckless driving, failure to obey traffic laws and driving without a license.

Investigators are asking the public for help in identifying the black SUV. Anyone with information can call 727-893-7780 or report an anonymous tip by texting “SPPD + Your Tip” to TIP411.