The deputy suffered minor injuries in the crash, according to the Pinellas sheriff’s office.

ST. PETERSBURG – A driver was arrested Tuesday (Sept. 11) after a three-vehicle traffic crash involving an on-duty sheriff’s deputy, the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office said.

Deputy Christopher Ludtke, 26, was taken to a hospital with minor injuries. Another driver, Shannon Clark, and her passenger were assessed on scene and refused medical treatment. The third driver, Zachariah Johnson, 32, of St. Petersburg, was also uninjured.

Johnson was arrested and charged with one count each of DUI with property damage and no valid driver’s license. Johnson showed signs of impairment at the scene of the crash and provided breath samples, which indicated he had a BrAC of 0.159/0.171, deputies said.

The crash happened about 12:49 a.m. on 38th Avenue N at 34th Street N in St. Petersburg.

Investigators said that Ludtke was on-duty in his marked 2010 Ford Crown Victoria. He was eastbound on 38th Avenue and stopped for a red light at 34th Street. Ludtke’s vehicle was directly behind Clark’s 2005 Dodge Neon. Both vehicles were in the median lane.

Johnson was driving his 2016 Hyundai Elantra, east on 38th Avenue, but did not stop for the red light at 34th Street North, and crashed into the rear of Ludtke’s Ford. The impact pushed Ludtke’s Ford into the rear of Clark’s Dodge.

Pinellas Sheriff | Crime | Arrests | DUI Crash | DUI | Tampabay News

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