Who:
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
Patrol Operations Bureau
-Major Accident Investigation Team
Deputy Alida Perez (Injured Driver)
Hire Date: 02/2012
Vehicle: 2006 Chevy Impala (Sheriff’s Office Marked Cruiser)
Donald Funk (Injured Driver)
DOB: 3/6/1956
Address: 19673 SW 80th Street, Dunnellon
Vehicle: 2013 Toyota Rav 4
Linda Funk (Injured Passenger)
DOB: 10/08/1946
Address: 19673 SW 80th Street, Dunnellon
Vehicle: 2013 Toyota Rav 4
Jack Buns (Uninjured Driver)
DOB: 7/19/1948
Address: 14152 Jennifer Terrace, Largo
Vehicle: 2010 Jeep Cherokee
What:
Deputies assigned to the Major Accident Investigation Team (M.A.I.T.) are investigating a multi-vehicle crash involving a deputy in Madeira Beach.
When:
The crash occurred at about 2:13 p.m. on Tuesday, June 3, 2014.
Where:
The crash occurred in the area of 135th Avenue and Gulf Boulevard in Madeira Beach.
Why/How:
According to investigators, the driver of a 2013 Toyota Rav 4 was stopped at 135th Avenue preparing to make a left hand turn to travel northbound on Gulf Blvd.
Deputy Alida Perez was traveling southbound in the curb lane on Gulf Blvd. in a marked cruiser and the driver of a 2010 Jeep Cherokee was also traveling southbound on Gulf Blvd. in the median lane. The driver of the Toyota Rav 4 began to accelerate to make the left turn and struck the front of Deputy Perez’s cruiser. The impact from the crash pushed the cruiser into the side of the Jeep Cherokee.
The driver and the passenger of the Toyota, identified as 58-year-old Donald Funk and 67-year-old Linda Funk were transported to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
Deputy Perez, who was on duty at the time of the crash, transported herself to the hospital as a precaution and for treatment of minor injuries.
The driver of the Jeep Cherokee, identified as 65-year-old Jack Buns was not injured during the crash.
It does not appear that alcohol or drugs were related to the incident.
The investigation continues.