Pinellas Deputy Injured While Trying To Stop Fleeing Suspect

ST. PETERSBURG, FL – The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a crash involving a deputy that occurred at 16th Street South and 14th Avenue South in St. Petersburg.

According to investigators, at approximately 2:17 a.m., Thursday, March 15, Lt. Kenneth Euler Jr., 40, a deputy with the Violent Crimes Task Force, was driving his marked Pinellas County Sheriff's Office Chevrolet Tahoe in the area of 7th Avenue South and 9th Street South in St. Petersburg when he noticed a suspicious vehicle.

Euler pulled his cruiser behind a 2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo driven by 27-year-old Timothy Maurice Jones of 2856 18th Ave. N., St. Petersburg.

Jones sped off, running several stop signs.

Euler called for backup and attempted to stop the car, which was driving west on 14th Avenue South while Euler was driving south on 16th Avenue South.

Jones reportedly ran the stop sign at 14th Avenue South and 16th Street South and crashed into the driver's side of Euler’s cruiser.

After the crash, Jones fled the area on foot but was apprehended by deputies.

Both Euler and Jones were treated at a local hospital for minor injuries.

Jones was charged with leaving the scene of a crash with injury, resisting arrest without violence, reckless driving with injury and driving on a suspended license.

Image via Pinellas County Sheriff