Who: Pinellas County Sheriff's Office Patrol Operations Bureau -Major Accident Investigation Team (M.A.I.T.)
Vehicle 1: 2015 Chevy Impala Reginald O. Thompson (Driver -Arrested) DOB: 12/22/1985 Address: 2744 3rd Avenue South, St. Petersburg Arrested for Resisting Arrest Without Violence, Felony Fleeing to Elude; Felony Possession of Crack Cocaine, Possession of Hydromorphone, Possession of Marijuana; Driving with License Suspended or Revoked; Two Counts Leaving the Scene of a Crash with Injuries Vehicle 2: Toyota Rav 4 Christopher Chapman (Driver - Injured) DOB: 11/18/1981 Address: 4647 28th Avenue North, St. Petersburg Nichole Chapman (Passenger - Injured) DOB: 01/22/1982 Alexandria Chapman (Passenger- Uninjured) DOB: 03/12/2012 What: Deputies assigned to the Major Accident Investigation Team (M.A.I.T.) are conducting an investigation into a two-vehicle crash that injured a husband and wife. The crash also resulted in the arrest of the fleeing driver.
When: The crash occurred at about 6:35 p.m. on Sunday, August 2, 2015. Where: The crash occurred at 30th Avenue North and 46th Street North in St. Petersburg.
Why/How: According to investigators, deputies observed the driver of the Chevy Impala, later identified as 29-year-old Reginald O. Thompson driving southbound on 47th Street.
Deputies say Thompson failed to stop at the stop sign while making a left hand turn from 47th onto 30th Avenue. Deputies activated lights and initiated a traffic stop. Deputies say the driver fled. As per Sheriff's Office policy, deputies did not initiate pursuit.
Deputies say the vehicle then turned south (right) on 46th Street North, but failed to negotiate the turn and struck the Toyota Rav 4, driven by 33-year-old Christopher Chapman, which was traveling north on 46th Street North.
Following the crash, Thompson and three other passengers exited the vehicle and fled on foot. Deputies gave chase, deployed their Electronic Control Device and arrested Thompson.
The passengers were not located.
Chapman and his wife, 33-year-old Nichole Chapman, were transported by ambulance to Bayfront Medical Center for treatment of non-life threatening injures. Their child, 3-year-old Alexandria Chapman, was not injured.
Thompson was arrested for Resisting Arrest Without Violence, Felony Fleeing to Elude; Felony Possession of Crack Cocaine, Possession of Hydromorphone, Possession of Marijuana; Driving with License Suspended or Revoked; Two Counts Leaving the Scene of a Crash with Injuries.
Impairment does not appear to be a factor in the crash.
The investigation continues.
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