MADEIRA BEACH, Fla. – Deputies with the Pinellas County Major Accident Investigation Team are investigating a fatal vehicle versus pedestrian crash that occurred Friday night in Madeira Beach.
According to investigators, the crash happened around 9:01 p.m. on January 23, 2026, near the intersection of 150th Avenue and Madeira Way. Authorities said 72-year-old Michael Arndt was walking in a marked crosswalk when he was struck by a vehicle.
Investigators said the driver, identified as 51-year-old Vanessa Maria Downs of Clearwater, was traveling eastbound on 150th Avenue in the median lane in a 2022 Jeep Wrangler when the vehicle struck Arndt. Arndt fell underneath the vehicle as a result of the impact.
Arndt was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Deputies reported that Downs showed signs of impairment at the scene and performed poorly on field sobriety tests. She was arrested and charged with DUI manslaughter, then transported to the Pinellas County Jail. Her bond was set at $75,000.
Downs mugshot says a lot about this woman. Her smirk shows no remorse. Hopefully, she will get to understand that price of taking a life after deciding to drive drunk
Authorities said next of kin has been notified. The investigation remains ongoing.
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