Crime & Safety
Hit-And-Run Driver Kills Deputy On I-275N: Pinellas Sheriff
The hit-and-run suspect who killed a Pinellas County Sheriff's Office deputy in a crash on I-275N is in custody, agency said.
ST. PETERSBURG, FL — A Pinellas County Sheriff’s deputy was killed by a hit-and-run driver on I-275N in St. Petersburg late Thursday evening, the agency shared on Facebook.
Deputy Michael Hartwick was killed on the interstate near Roosevelt Boulevard. The suspect has since been taken into custody, PCSO said.
The deputy is survived by his two adult sons.
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“We would like to extend our sincerest condolences to Deputy Hartwick’s family during this difficult time,” the agency shared. “Please keep his loved ones along with our PCSO family in your thoughts and prayers.”
Detectives continue to investigate the fatal crash, which closed a portion of I-275 overnight.
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Southbound traffic is expected to be diverted onto Ulmerton Road and northbound traffic diverted onto Gandy Boulevard until mid-day Friday, according to a PCSO Facebook post.
The northbound I-275 entrance was closed at Roosevelt Boulevard, though southbound traffic on I-275 in the area remains open. The eastbound and westbound lanes of Roosevelt Boulevard are also open.
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