Pinellas Park officer, canine partner injured in crash ♦ 49th Street ♦ Lake Blvd. ♦ DUI ♦ Rear-ended ♦ Stopped at red light

PINELLAS COUNTY - A Pinellas Park police officer and his canine partner suffered minor injuries in a crash with another driver late last night. The officer and his canine partner were stopped with other traffic at a red light on 49th Street at Lake Boulevard when a full-size Mercury drove into the rear of the police cruiser.

The impact caused the officers car to be knocked forward approximately 70 feet. A witness said, “It appeared that the car never braked before striking the back of the police car.”

The officer was taken to a local hospital for possible back and neck injuries and was treated and released. The dog was transported to a local emergency veterinarian clinic for treatment and was released after x-rays showed no broken bones.

The driver of the full-size Mercury was charged with (DUI) driving under the influence-crash with personal injury. He was taken to the Pinellas County Jail. Damages are estimated to be in excess of $10,000.00.