Ruskin teen in stolen car crash dies after pursuit in Manatee County: MCSO
Jan 06, 2026
A Ruskin teen who stole a car in Hillsborough County dies in a crash in Manatee County.Manatee County Sheriffs Office (MCSO) said at around 8 p.m. Monday, deputies received an alert about a Honda Accord going southbound in the 7
300 block of U.S 41 near Palmetto.Deputies then attempted to make a traffic stop on the stolen vehicle at the 1000 block of U.S. 41. The driver initially slowed down, but the driver made a U-turn and fled from deputies on 17th Street East, MCSO said.The stolen vehicle was about half a mile ahead of deputies when it struck another vehicle. The stolen car then spun out of control and rolled several times, MCSO said. The second vehicle went into a residential yard.The driver of the stolen vehicle, Michael Jerome Austin, 18, of Ruskin, was found unconscious in the vehicle. He was taken to the hospital and was pronounced dead at 9:12 p.m.The 24-year-old female driver of the second vehicle was taken to the hospital with minor injuries.
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