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

Corporal John Suess IV (Driver - Injured)
Age: 36
Date of Hire: 11/12/2013
Vehicle: 2013 Dodge Charger

Marjorie L. Nelson (Driver - uninjured)
DOB:11/14/1951
Address: 3113 SR 580, Lot #391, Safety Harbor
Vehicle: 2002 Ford Explorer
Citation: Careless Driving, Violation of Driver’s License Restriction (corrective lenses)

Amar Basria (Driver – uninjured)
DOB: 10/25/1998
Erum Basria (Passenger – uninjured)
Address: 34 Emerald Bay, Oldsmar
Vehicle: 2017 Honda CRV

What:
Deputies assigned to the Major Accident Investigation Team (M.A.I.T.) are investigating a deputy involved crash in Safety Harbor. 

When:
The crash occurred at about 7:52 a.m. on Thursday, April 26, 2018.

Where:
The crash occurred just east of the traffic light on SR 580 and McMullen Booth Road.

Why/How:
Deputies assigned to the Major Accident Investigation Team (M.A.I.T.) are investigating a deputy involved crash that occurred just east of the traffic light on SR 580 and McMullen Booth Road.

According to investigators, at approximately 7:52 a.m. on Thursday, April 26, 2018, Corporal Suess was on-duty in his unmarked Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office 2013 Dodge Charger, driving westbound in the median lane on SR 580, in Safety Harbor.

Investigators say Corporal Suess was stopped for the traffic light on SR 580 at McMullen Booth Road, when 66-year-old Marjorie Nelson, also driving westbound on SR 580 in her 2002 Ford Explorer, attempted to change lanes. Nelson failed to see that traffic had stopped for the traffic light and she rear-ended Corporal Suess’ vehicle, which caused a chain reaction and pushed his vehicle into 19-year-old Amar Basria’s, 2017 Honda CRV.

Corporal Suess was transported to a local hospital by another deputy with minor injuries.

Basria and his passenger, Erum Basria, refused medical treatment on scene.

Nelson refused medical treatment on scene.

Nelson was issued a traffic citation for Careless Driving, Violation of Driver’s License Restriction (corrective lenses).

It does not appear that speed or impairment are factors in the crash.

The investigation continues.