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

Undercover Detective (Driver- Injured)
Age: 55
Hire Date: 7/7/2014
Vehicle: Unmarked SUV

Chanthala Silapheth (Driver- Uninjured)
DOB: 5/5/1962
Address: 7825 42^nd Way N, Pinellas Park
Vehicle: 2011 Toyota Tundra

Mehmed Dzogaz (Driver- Injured)
DOB: 5/7/1954
Address: 6001 Magnolia Street N., St. Petersburg FL
Vehicle: 2010 Ford Transit

What:
Deputies assigned to the Major Accident Investigation Team (M.A.I.T.) are investigating a detective involved vehicle crash in unincorporated Largo.

When:
The crash occurred at about 1:22 p.m. on April 7, 2016.

Where:
The crash occurred on Bryan Dairy Road, just east of the Longwood Drive intersection in unincorporated Largo.

Why/How:
Deputies assigned to the Major Accident Investigation Team (M.A.I.T.) are investigating a detective involved vehicle crash in unincorporated Largo.

According to investigators, a 2011 Toyota Tundra driven by Chanthala Silapheth was traveling westbound on Bryan Dairy Road in the curb lane approaching the Longwood Drive intersection. Silapheth did not see traffic stopped at the red traffic light in front of him when his vehicle struck the rear-end of a 2010 Ford Transit driven by Mehmed Dzogaz, who was stopped at the traffic light.

Investigators say that the initial crash caused a chain reaction and pushed Dzogaz’s 2010 Ford Transit forward causing his vehicle to strike the rear-end of the unmarked SUV driven by the undercover detective, who was stopped at the traffic light.

Mehmed Dzogaz was transported to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The undercover detective transported himself to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Chanthala Silapheth was not injured.

Silapheth was issued a Uniform Traffic Citation for careless driving.

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

The investigation continues.