Who:
Pinellas County Sheriff's Office
Patrol Operations Bureau
-Major Accident Investigation Team (M.A.I.T.)

Deputy Bridgett Morris
Hire Date: 08/07/2006
Vehicle: 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe

Deputy Eric Ford
Hire Date: 09/04/2012
Vehicle: 1999 Ford Crown Victoria

What:
Deputies assigned to the Major Accident Investigation Team are investigating a crash involving two patrol deputies.

When:
The crash occurred at about 5:48 a.m. on October 1, 2015.

Where:
The crash occurred at the intersection of US Hwy 19 Frontage Road and Haines Bayshore Road in Clearwater.

Why/How:

According to investigators, Deputy Bridgett Morris was traveling northbound on the US Hwy 19 Frontage Road while on duty driving her marked cruiser with her emergency equipment activated while responding to an emotionally distressed person emergency. Deputy Eric Ford was following Deputy Morris while responding to the same emergency in his marked cruiser with his emergency equipment activated.

Investigators say that as Deputy Morris approached the Haines Bayshore Road intersection, she slowed for a bicyclist who was proceeding to cross the roadway in front of her at which time Deputy Ford’s cruiser collided into the rear of Deputy Morris’ cruiser.

Both deputies were transported to Largo Medical Center for non-life threatening injuries and have since been released. No one else was injured as a result of this crash.     

The investigation continues.