Who: Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Operations Bureau -Major Accident Investigation Team (M.A.I.T.) - Violent Crimes Task Force (VCTF)
St. Petersburg Police Department
Clearwater Police Department
Deputy Guy Habercom (Driver- Uninjured) Age: 28 Date of Hire: 02/08/2013 Vehicle: 2012 Chevrolet Tahoe marked cruiser
Officer Seth Maranville (Driver- Injured) St. Petersburg Police Department Vehicle: 2016 Ford Explorer marked cruiser
What: Deputies assigned to the Major Accident Investigation Team are investigating a vehicle crash involving a Pinellas deputy and a St. Petersburg police officer in St. Petersburg.
When: The incident occurred at about 10:20 p.m. on Friday, January 20, 2016.
Where: The incident occurred at the intersection of Fairfield Avenue South and 43rd Street South in St. Petersburg.
Why/How: Deputies assigned to the Major Accident Investigation Team are investigating a vehicle crash involving a Pinellas deputy and a St. Petersburg police officer in St. Petersburg.
According to investigators, members of the Violent Crimes Task Force (VCTF) were conducting surveillance on a stolen vehicle in the St. Petersburg area when VCTF member, Deputy Guy Habercom, was driving his marked 2012 Chevrolet Tahoe cruiser westbound on Fairfield Avenue, approaching the stop sign at the intersection of 43rd Street South.
Investigators say that Deputy Habercom tried stopping his cruiser at the stop sign but due to a suspected equipment malfunction, he was unable to come to a complete stop.
At the same time, VCTF member and St. Petersburg Police Officer Seth Maranville, was driving his marked 2016 Ford Explorer, southbound on 43rd Street South through the intersection of Fairfield Avenue South.
Investigators say that Deputy Habercom’s Tahoe struck the rear driver side of Officer Maranville’s Explorer causing the Explorer to lose control. Officer Maranville’s Explorer drove off the roadway and rolled over onto the passenger side of the vehicle.
Deputy Habercom was not injured. Officer Maranville suffered a minor injury and was driven to a local hospital.
Investigators say that neither vehicle was operating in emergency mode at the time of the crash.
The Violent Crimes Task Force is a county-wide, multi-jurisdictional task force that focuses on violent crime in Pinellas County. The task force is comprised of law enforcement officers from the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office, St. Petersburg Police Department and the Clearwater Police Department.
The investigation continues.
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