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.

Tampa Ι TEEN HITS POLICE CAR while TEXTING Ι REAR ENDED Ι STOPPED POLICE CAR Ι AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT Ι Passenger INJURED Ι

According to BAYNEWS 9 - A teenager was cited Wednesday after police said she crashed into a patrol car while she was texting and cutting school.

According to reports, just before 11 a.m. Wednesday, Officer Tanya Manning was stopped at a red light at the intersection of Bruce B. Downs and Palms Springs boulevards in Tampa when she was hit from behind by a car driven by 18-year-old Katelyn Blaylock.

Police said Blaylock was texting at the time of the accident. They also said she had two other teenage girls in the car with her, and that all three teenagers were skipping classes at Freedom High School at the time. Blaylock and one other passenger were slightly injured when the airbags of her car deployed. Manning was not hurt.

Blaylock was cited for careless driving. All three teenagers were taken to their high school and delivered to the assistant principal. All of their parents have been notified.

STUDY SHOWS - Texting While Driving Can Be Deadly

CLICK link to read article:

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090504094434.htm

"When a driver's eyes are away from the roadway for two seconds or more in a six-second window, their risk of being involved in a crash is two times higher than an alert driver."

Florida Injury Attorney G. Alan Tripp, Jr., encourages drivers to refrain from texting and driving (even at stop lights). Keep yourself, your family and others safe by keeping your eyes on the road and your hands on the wheel.

www.trippfirm.com

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