A 27-year-old Indiana woman was taken into custody early Saturday morning after Florida troopers claimed she ran a red light and collided with a marked Pinellas Park police cruiser.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the accident occurred around 3:20 a.m. on June 27 near the intersection of Ulmerton Road and 49th Street North in Pinellas County.
According to troopers, Jessica Harvey of Avon, Indiana, was driving a Chevrolet Traverse eastbound on Ulmerton Road when she failed to stop for a red traffic signal.
At the same time, a marked Pinellas Park Police Department patrol vehicle was heading west on Ulmerton Road. Harvey’s SUV crashed with the police cruiser as the officer attempted to make a left turn under a green traffic signal.
The crash did not result in any injuries to the officer.
Following the incident, Florida Highway Patrol troopers believed Harvey was drunk and arrested her.
According to Pinellas County Jail records, the Florida Highway Patrol booked Harvey into the jail around 9:15 a.m. on Saturday. She was charged with misdemeanor DUI—Under the Influence of Alcohol or Drugs in accordance with Florida Statute 316.193(1).
According to jail records, the judge set Harvey’s bond at $1,000. At the time of booking, she was listed as being in detention awaiting trial.
Social Media Reactions
After the Florida Highway Patrol Tampa District shared details of the crash on social media, many people were grateful the officer was not injured.
Several others wished the officer well, while others pointed out that late-night driving might be particularly risky.
One user claimed to have witnessed the crash and questioned if the patrol vehicle temporarily turned on its emergency lights before entering the junction. According to the Florida Highway Patrol’s preliminary investigation, Harvey failed to stop at a red traffic signal before hitting the patrol car. Troopers have not said if the officer’s emergency lights contributed to the crash.
The Florida Highway Patrol continues to investigate the crash.
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