Who: Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Operations Bureau -Major Accident Investigation Team
Deputy Jason Beetz (Driver - Injured) Age: 33 Date of Hire: 09/09/2013 Vehicle: 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe
Joseph Raymond Johnson (Suspect Driver – Injured) DOB: 08/11/1986 Address: 1541 Crown Street, Clearwater Vehicle: 2013 Chevrolet Camaro Pending charge and citations: Driving While License Revoked/Suspended, Failure to Obey Traffic Control Signal and having no vehicle insurance
What: Deputies assigned to the Major Accident Investigation Team are investigating a two vehicle crash which caused non-life threating injuries to both drivers.
When: The crash occurred at about 6:03 p.m. on Thursday April 26, 2018.
Where: The crash occurred on Seminole Boulevard at Lark Drive Southwest in Largo.
Why/How: Deputies assigned to the Major Accident Investigation Team (M.A.I.T) are investigating a two vehicle crash which caused non-life threating injuries to both drivers on Seminole Boulevard at Lark Drive Southwest in Largo.
According to investigators, on April 26, 2018 at approximately 6:03 p.m., 31-year-old Joseph Johnson was driving a 2013 Chevrolet Camaro northbound on Seminole Boulevard when he failed to stop for a red traffic light signal at Lark Drive Southwest in Largo.
Investigators say Deputy Beetz was on-duty and traveling southbound on Seminole Boulevard in a fully marked 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe. Deputy Beetz made a left turn on a green arrow, to go east on Lark Drive Southwest from Seminole Boulevard, when he was struck by Johnson.
Deputy Beetz was transported to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
Johnson was also transported to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
Once Johnson is released from the hospital he will be charged with Driving While License Suspended and cited for Failure to Obey Traffic Control Signal and having no vehicle insurance.
It appears that speed may be a factor in the crash.
The investigation continues.
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