3 Clearwater Police Officers Injured In 5-Car Pileup On Causeway

CLEARWATER, FL – Three Clearwater Police officers were taken to the hospital with minor injuries following a five-car pileup on the Courtney Campbell Causeway Saturday, Aug. 12.

Clearwater Police received a call at 3:04 a.m. about a disabled vehicle in the westbound lanes of the causeway. As an officer was on the scene waiting for a tow truck to arrive, his Ford Explorer with emergency lights on was struck from behind by a westbound vehicle at 3:24 a.m.

Two more officers arrived to investigate the crash and, 12 minutes later, another westbound car slammed into the rear of one of the two just-arrived police vehicles, both of which also had emergency lights on.

The impact pushed department Crown Victoria into another department Ford Explorer, and all three officers on the scene were struck either by the vehicles or flying debris.

The driver involved in the first crash was Joshua J. Mayer, 33. He told officers he looked down at his phone and lost control of his 2011 Toyota Corolla.

The driver in the second crash was Billy E. Chatman III, 24. He told officers he fell asleep at the wheel of his 2011 Ford Fusion.

Neither Mayer or Chatman was injured. Both were cited for careless driving. Further charges could be forthcoming pending additional investigation.

The Clearwater Police officers – Officer Paul Bosco, Officer Michael Beaver and Officer Kevin Vigh – were all treated and released from Mease Countryside Hospital.

Images via Clearwater Police

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