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Wrong Way Driver in Florida Faces Second Degree Murder Charges

In September 2007, a man drove the wrong way on Interstate 275 in St. Petersburg, killing a St. Petersburg College student.  According to reports, Charles Hicks, a 34-year-old man, was driving north in the southbound lanes so fast that he hit another car and the outcome was catastrophic.  Hicks is now on trial for the death of Steven Cornell resulting from the fatal car accident in St. Petersburg.

Cornell’s family members and friends came to court on Monday to hear the trial of Hicks who was being charged with second-degree murder, vehicular homicide and aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer.

Hicks’ lawyer told jurors that the accident was tragic, but that they would not hear any proof that it was Hicks who committed the crimes in which he was being charged.  His lawyer also said that there were indications that there were three people in the car at the time of the accident and that Hicks was not in the drivers’ seat.

Assistant State Attorney Scott Rosenwasser said that Hicks was driving recklessly and veered toward police officers.  According to one officer’s testimony, Hicks was driving so fast down 18th Avenue S that an officer called it in to dispatch to warn other officers and to see if someone could stop Hicks.

Hicks tried to get away by going up a southbound exit ramp from I-275 and driving north in the southbound lanes.  Police were able to keep up with Hicks by driving up the northbound lanes on the interstate.

Cornell was in the car with his sister when they collided with Hicks, killing Cornell as a result.

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