Sheriff's Office Investigates a Deputy Involved Crash

Pinellas County Sheriff's are investigating a three-car, deputy-involved crash, which tied up traffic Tuesday evening near the intersection of Main Street and Belcher Road.

The three car crash happened just before 5 p.m. causing some traffic blockage during the busy rush hour commute.

According to witnesses, Eugene Haynie, of Kentucky, drove a Jeep Cherokee out a parking lot across three lanes of stopped traffic on Main Street. As Haynie entered the left turn lane on Main Street, the Jeep was struck by a Chevrolet Avalanche driven by Dennis Black, of Dunedin.

The impact of the crash caused the Jeep to bump into the rear of a sheriff's cruiser driven by Theodore Thompson, according to the news release.

The three drivers were not injured. The passengers of the Jeep, Mickayla Pearson and Julia Pearson were taken to Morton Plant Hospital for minor injuries. Mickayla, who is pregnant, was kept at the hospital for observation, but she appears to be fine, according to officials.

Haynie was cited for violation of right of way. The accident is still under investigation.