2 State Troopers Receive Minor Injuries In Palm Harbor Crash

PALM HARBOR, FL – A Florida Highway Patrol trooper was thrown to the ground and injured after his patrol car was struck while he was assisting at a traffic stop.

According to the highway patrol, Trooper Brian Sudbrink, 49, of Largo was conducting a traffic stop and Trooper James Bregon, 56, of Pinellas Park was standing by as backup on U.S. 19 north of Highlands Boulevard in Palm Harbor on Tuesday, July 3 at 6:13 a.m.

That’s when a white Ford Crown Victoria taxi cab suddenly changed lanes in front of a 1996 Ford Ranger driven by Samuel Barker, 61, of New Port Richey. Barker tried to take evasive action and subsequently lost control of the Ranger on the wet pavement. The Ranger spun off the road and struck Bregon’s patrol car and then hit Sudbrink’s patrol car with Sudbrink inside.

The force of the impact knocked Bregon to the ground.

The Ford Crown Victoria then drove off.

Sudbrink sustained minor injuries and was taken to Florida Hospital Palm Harbor for treatment. Bregon received minor injuries but did not require treatment at a hospital.

Anyone with information about the car and driver is asked to call the FHP at (813) 558-1800.

Image via FHP