Crime & Public Safety
Pasco deputy strikes eastbound SUV at U.S. 19 and Cinema Drive; two people hurt
A Pasco County Sheriff’s Office deputy struck a Chevrolet Blazer at the intersection of U.S. Highway 19 (State Road 55) and Cinema Drive in Pasco County, injuring both drivers, according to a Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) report.
FHP said the deputy was driving northbound in a marked Chevy Tahoe in the outside lane on U.S. 19 with lights and sirens activated while responding to a call. At the same time, a Chevy Blazer driven by a 57-year-old New Port Richey woman was traveling eastbound on Cinema Drive and entered the U.S. 19 intersection on a green signal to continue east onto Regency Park. The deputy failed to clear the intersection and struck the right side of the Blazer.
Troopers who compiled the report spoke with witnesses at the scene who described the deputy as traveling at a high rate of speed and not slowing through the intersection. Witnesses also said the Blazer had a green light and was already in the intersection when the collision occurred. Those witness statements are included in the FHP account.
The report states both the deputy and the female driver suffered minor injuries. FHP documented the crash and interviewed witnesses; the report does not list any charges or additional investigative actions in its summary.
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