Taxi Driver Cited in Crash That Injured Cop

A St. Petersburg Police officer is recovering from injuries following a Thursday morning crash on 62nd Avenue North and 4th Street North.

According to the police department, the accident occurred around 2:30 a.m. as a police officer in a marked patrol vehicle was heading north on 4th Street North. A Bat’s Taxi driver was heading south on 4th Street at the same time. The taxi driver, an email to media from the police department stated, entered the eastbound turn lane at 62nd Avenue North and turned in front of the officer’s marked patrol car.

The two vehicles collided and the officer’s cruiser left the road, hit a utility box, a cross walk signal and an overhead traffic light pole, the police department said.

Officer Douglas Alvey was taken to Bayfront Health St. Petersburg by ambulance. He suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was treated and released. The department reports he is resting at home.

The taxi driver, who hasn’t been identified, was cited for failing to yield while making a left turn.

Photo courtesy of the St. Petersburg Police Department

Keep up with what’s happening around town and the state by signing up for your favorite Patch daily newsletter: Bloomingdale-Riverview, Bradenton, Brandon, Carrollwood-Northdale, Clearwater, Dunedin, East Lake, Gulfport, Land O’ Lakes, Largo, Lutz, New Port Richey, New Tampa, Palm Harbor, Pinellas Beaches, Safety Harbor, Sarasota, Seminole Heights, South Tampa-Hyde Park, St. Pete, Tarpon Springs, Temple Terrace, Westchase.