Minor Injuries in Deputy-Involved Crash

The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a crash that occurred Tuesday night along U.S. 19 in the Palm Harbor area.

According to the sheriff’s office, the wreck occurred around 6:52 p.m., just south of Tampa Road. Deputy Stephen West was heading north in the median lane when he struck a 2011 Nissan Maxima from behind. The Nissan, in turn, moved to the right, causing the deputy’s Chevrolet Tahoe to strike the rear of a Chevrolet van.

The Nissan’s driver, Karen Bail, 63, was taken to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries. West and the van’s driver, Sean O’Connor, 23, drove themselves to local hospital with minor injuries, the sheriff’s office stated.

The wreck closed northbound lanes along U.S. 19 for a time.

An investigation into the crash is ongoing.