ST. PETERSBURG — A St. Petersburg man is facing multiple driving-related charges after he shot himself while being pursued by law enforcement, authorities said.

About 12:15 a.m. Wednesday, members of the Violent Crime Task Force spotted a 2011 Honda Accord driving recklessly near 26th Avenue S and 13th Street, according to the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office.

The vehicle — driven by 23-year-old Matthew Lukine Brown — was seen speeding through residential areas with the headlights off and driving past stop signs.

Task Force members were able to stop the car using a tire-deflating device near 22nd Avenue S and 34th Street, according to a report. When authorities tried to conduct a traffic stop, Brown fled.

As the pursuit continued, Task Force members said they saw a bright light and heard a sound like a gunshot from inside the car. They then watched as Brown tossed a handgun out the window, according to the report.

When they were able to finally stop the car using a Precision Immobilization Technique, they arrested Brown, who had a gunshot wound in his right thigh. Authorities said Brown had accidentally shot himself while trying to discard the gun, which was previously reported stolen from a vehicle in Largo.

In the past decade, more than 82,000 guns have been reportedly stolen

Brown was taken to Bayfront Hospital for treatment and later transported to the Pinellas County Jail. He is being held on $15,250 bond.

Contact Melissa Gomez at mgomez@tampabay.com. Follow @melissagomez004.