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

Deputy Sean O’Brien (Driver- Injured)
Hire Date: 7/18/2005
Vehicle: 2010 Ford Crown Victoria

Danielle T. Elliott (Driver- Injured)
DOB: 2/1/1964
Address: 12553 Blazing Star Drive, Tampa
Vehicle: 2006 Toyota Corolla

Shannon M. Heller (Driver- Uninjured)
DOB: 2/1/1979
Address: 10272 Cypress Circle, Largo
Vehicle: 2013 Honda Pilot

What:
Deputies assigned to the Major Accident Investigation Team are investigating a deputy involved crash.

When:
The crash occurred at about 7:19 a.m. on Thursday, April 7, 2016.

Where:
The crash occurred at the intersection of Ulmerton Road and U.S. Highway 19 in unincorporated Largo.

Why/How:
Deputies assigned to the Major Accident Investigation Team are investigating a deputy involved crash in unincorporated Largo.

According to investigators, Deputy Sean O’Brien was traveling westbound on Ulmerton Road in his marked 2010 Ford Crown Victoria patrol vehicle approaching U.S. Highway 19. Deputy O’Brien stopped at the intersection on a red traffic light and was waiting to proceed when he received a request for assistance from a nearby Deputy who was working a crash at Ulmerton Road and 66^th Street.

Investigators say that in an attempt to provide assistance, Deputy O’Brien activated his emergency lights and slowly began to proceed through the intersection in the direction of the deputy requesting help. As Deputy O’Brien approached the south frontage road lanes of U.S. Highway 19 with his emergency lights on, a vehicle in the median southbound lane yielded to Deputy O’Brien. He then proceeded across the lanes of traffic as a 2006 Toyota Corolla being driven by Danielle Elliott, was traveling southbound in the curb lane of the U.S. Highway 19 Frontage Road. Elliot failed to see Deputy O’Brien’s emergency lights and struck the passenger side of Deputy O’Brien’s patrol vehicle.

After the initial impact, Elliott’s vehicle continued on and struck a 2013 Honda Pilot that was stopped at the same intersection.

Witnesses at the scene told investigators that they clearly heard the deputy’s siren and saw his emergency lights as he proceeded through the intersection immediately prior to the crash.

Deputy O’Brien and Danielle Elliott were both transported to local hospitals for non-life threatening injuries. The driver of the Honda Pilot was not injured.   

Neither speed nor alcohol/drug impairment appear to be factors in this crash.

The investigation continues.