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

Vetson F. Love (Driver Arrested- Injured)
DOB: 07/27/1991
2821 Old Village Way, Oldsmar
Vehicle: 2013 Nissan Altima
Charges: One count of Aggravated Fleeing and Eluding and one count of Possession of a Controlled Substance (Cocaine)

John Pearson (Driver- Injured)
DOB: 03/25/1992
507 Macloud Terrace, Dunedin
Vehicle: 2008 Cadillac CTS

Cassandra Staneefer (Driver- Uninjured)
DOB: 07/17/1984
939 8^th Street North, St. Petersburg
Vehicle: 2013 Kia Soul

What:
Deputies assigned to the Major Accident Investigation Team are investigating a crash after a man flees from deputies during a traffic stop in Safety Harbor.

When:
The incident occurred at about 7 p.m. on Wednesday, December 28, 2016.

Where:
Deputies initiated a traffic stop near the intersection of 10^th Avenue North and 7^th Street North, in Safety Harbor.

The crash occurred at the intersection of Cedar Street and McMullen Booth Road in Safety Harbor.

Why/How:
According to investigators, a Pinellas deputy initiated a traffic stop on a 2013 Nissan Altima for failure to stop at a stop sign, near the intersection of 7^th Street North and 10^th Avenue North in Safety Harbor.

When the deputy activated his emergency lights and siren, the Nissan fled from the deputy, westbound on 7^th Street North to Cedar Street. The deputy did not pursue the vehicle.

Investigators say that the Nissan continued westbound on Cedar Street at a high rate of speed approaching McMullen Booth Road. The Nissan failed to stop at a red traffic light and continued through the intersection crashing into the driver side of a 2008 Cadillac CTS that was driving in the southbound center lane of McMullen Booth Road, with a green traffic light.

After striking the Cadillac, the Nissan continued out of control in a southwest direction and crashed into a 2013 Kia Soul driving in the southbound curb lane of McMullen Booth Road. 

The driver of the 2008 Cadillac, 24-year-old John Pearson, suffered non-life threatening injuries and was transported to Mease Countryside Hospital. The driver of the 2013 Kia, 32-year-old Cassandra Staneefer, was not injured. The suspect and driver of the Nissan, 26-year-old Vetson Love, was transported to St. Joseph’s Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Love admitted to deputies that he fled when the deputy tried stopping him. Deputies found crack cocaine in Love’s possession.

Love was charged with one count of Aggravated Fleeing and Eluding and one count of Possession of a Controlled Substance (Cocaine).

Love will be transported to the Pinellas County Jail after he is released from the hospital.

The investigation continues.