Pinellas Deputy Disciplined For Unauthorized High-Speed Chase

NORTH REDINGTON BEACH, FL — A Pinellas County Sheriff's deputy is facing a one-day suspension for engaging in a high-speed pursuit on Gulf Boulevard in North Redington Beach Feb. 23.

According to the sheriff's office, Deputy Zoe Gambel spotted a car driving with a broken license plate light and tried to pull the car over near Gulf Boulevard and 17st Avenue. The car made a U-turn and accelerated toward Madeira Beach.

According to a sheriff's disciplinary review, the deputy pursued the car through heavy traffic reaching speeds of 97 mph in a 35 mph zone while the car being pursued wove in and out of traffic, passing vehicles in the shared center turn lane and driving into lanes of oncoming traffic.

The 2-mile chase continued south through Redington Beach, entered Madeira Beach and went over the Tom Stuart Causeway. It lasted 1 minute and 38 seconds.

The review determined that Gambel violated sheriff's office rules which state that a high-speed pursuit can only be authorized if someone’s safety is threatened or if the crime is a forcible felony.