Witness: Man identified in St. Petersburg pool drowning tried to make swimming bet

ST. PETERSBURG - The man who appears to have died in a drowning accident at a St. Petersburg apartment complex has been identified as 41-year-old Damon Russell Hughes.

The drowning occurred in the pool at Brandywine Apartments, located at 1609 68 Street North Sunday morning.

Hughes, who did not live at the complex, was pulled from the pool after a resident spotted the victim lying at the bottom of the pool.

A witness told authorities that they saw Hughes swimming in the pool earlier and he commented to the witness that he bet on how long he could swim under water.

The witness said he declined the bet and left the pool area.

When Hughes was removed from the pool, he was taken to St. Petersburg General Hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

Authorities said there are no indications of foul play, and it either appears to be a case of an accidental drowning or possible medical episode.

Hughes had previously been arrested four times in Pinellas County. 

His charges included Petit Theft, Assault Simple Domestic, Tamper with a Witness, Disorderly Intoxication, Resisting An Officer Without Violence and Obstruction By a Disguised Person.

A final determination for his death will be made by the Medical Examiner's Office.