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

Vincent E. Barone (Arrested- Uninjured)
DOB: 11/05/1978
2403 Finlandia Lane, Apartment 53, Clearwater
Vehicle: 2003 Honda Civic
Charges: Two counts of Leaving the Scene of a Crash Involving Serious Bodily Injury

Sherman M. Puckett (Victim- Injured Pedestrian)
DOB: 06/28/1987
1535 South Prospect Avenue, Clearwater

Sheree Dean (Victim- Injured Pedestrian)
DOB: 08/31/1979
9114 Dream Way, Largo

What:
Deputies assigned to the Major Accident Investigation Team have arrested a suspect who they say crashed his vehicle into two pedestrians while playing a video game on his phone and fled the scene. A witness of the crash followed the suspect and detained him until deputies arrived.  

When:
The crash occurred at about 2:20 p.m. on Sunday, December 18, 2016.

The suspect was apprehended at about 2:25 p.m. on Sunday, December 18, 2016.

Where:
The crash occurred on the north sidewalk, just west of the SR 580 and CR 1 intersection, in Dunedin.

The suspect was apprehended at the Oasis Convenient Store located at 1401 Pinehurst Road, in Dunedin.

Why/How:
Deputies assigned to the Major Accident Investigation Team have arrested a suspect who they say crashed his vehicle into two pedestrians while playing a video game on his phone, and fled the scene. A witness of the crash followed the suspect and detained him until deputies arrived.

According to investigators, a 2003 Honda Civic being driven by the suspect, 38-year-old Vincent Barone, was traveling westbound on SR 580, passing the intersection of CR 1, when the Honda veered off the roadway in a northbound direction and struck two pedestrians standing on the sidewalk.

Witnesses informed investigators that Barone failed to stop his vehicle after striking the pedestrians, and continued westbound on SR 580, fleeing the scene.  A witness on a motorcycle followed Barone from the scene of the crash, to the Oasis Convenient Store located at 1401 Pinehurst Road, in Dunedin. The witness called 911 and detained Barone until deputies arrived.

The pedestrians, 37-year-old Sheree Dean, and 29-year-old Sherman Puckett, sustained serious injuries and were both transported to Bayfront Medical Center.

Barone admitted to investigators that he accidentally struck the pedestrians and left the scene of the crash because he “panicked”. Barone said he was distracted from playing a video game on his phone, at the time of the crash.

Investigators do not suspect that impairment or speed were factors in the crash. 

Barone was arrested and transported to the Pinellas County Jail without incident.

Barone was charged with two counts of Leaving the Scene of a Crash Involving Serious Bodily Injury.        

The investigation continues.