An Iowa man was charged with DUI manslaughter after deputies say he hit and killed a bicyclist who was loading a bike onto a PSTA bus.
The crash happened Monday afternoon on Gulf Boulevard.
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office detectives say around 1:54 p.m., the PSTA bus was stopped at a bus stop just south of 4th Avenue on Gulf Boulevard.
A 2016 Ford Flex, driven by David Schwab, 58, of New Hartford, Iowa, was heading north on Gulf Boulevard. Schwab crossed over into the southbound lanes in front of the bus.
Investigators said Schwab’s vehicle struck the bus head-on, just as Michael Richardson, 55, was placing his bicycle on the bike rack on the front of the bus.
Richardson suffered life-threatening injuries and was flown to Bayfront Medical Center, where he was later pronounced dead.
Schwab was taken by ambulance to a hospital for non-life threatening injuries.
Friends said Richardson was well known around the Redington Shores community, always riding his bike.
He served in the military and was proud of his country.
Chris Henderson said he enjoyed making people smile.
“Mike loved life, loved spending time on the beach. As many times as this would have been great for him to get out of this environment, he always found his way back to the beach. He enjoyed the beauty of this place,” said Henderson.
“He enjoyed being in the sun and having a good time, so he’ll certainly be missed here in this community.”
The passengers on the bus were not injured.
Schwab was charged with DUI manslaughter and DUI involving property damage.
He has since posted bond.
