Who:
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
Patrol Operations Bureau
-Major Accident Investigation Team

Deputy Stephen West (Injured Driver)
Hire Date: 02/2007
Vehicle: 2013 Chevy Tahoe (Marked Sheriff’s Office Vehicle)

Karen Bail (Injured Driver)
DOB: 9/25/1951
Address: 1960 Clairedon Road, Clearwater
Vehicle: 2011 Nissan Maxima

Sean O’Connor(Injured Driver)
DOB: 10/6/1991
Address: 1670 52^nd Avenue North, St. Petersburg
Vehicle: 2014 Chevy G1500 Van

What:
Deputies assigned to the Major Accident Investigation Team (M.A.I.T.) are investigating a multi-vehicle crash involving a deputy in Palm Harbor.

When:
The crash occurred at approximately 6:52 p.m. on Tuesday, November 18, 2014. 

Where:
The crash occurred in the area of U.S. Highway 19 North, just South of Tampa Road in Palm Harbor. 

Why/How:
Deputies assigned to the Major Accident Investigation Team (M.A.I.T.) are investigating a multi-vehicle crash involving a deputy that occurred in the Palm Harbor area at approximately 6:52 p.m. this evening.

According to investigators, Deputy West was traveling Northbound in the median lane of U.S. Highway 19 North when he struck a 2011 Nissan Maxima from behind. The Nissan was stopped in traffic on U.S. Hwy. 19 North. The impact caused the Nissan to move to the right, causing the deputy to strike the rear of a 2014 Chevy van.

The driver of the Nissan, identified as 63-year-old Karen Bail was transported to a local hospital via ambulance with non-life threatening injuries.

Deputy West and the driver of the Chevy, identified as 23-year-old Sean O’Connor transported themselves to the hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.

Northbound lanes of U.S. Highway 19 were shut down temporarily during the investigation. All Northbound lanes have since been reopened.

The investigation continues.