The deputy was not injured but the other driver left the scene, according to the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office.

PINELLAS COUNTY – Deputies have arrested a New Port Richey woman who, they said, crashed into a sheriff’s cruiser and left the scene.

Kimberly L Kuhlow, 44, of New Port Richey, was charged with one count each of driving under the influence and leaving the scene of a crash with property damage. Neither Kuhlow nor Deputy Tiffany Ashcom, 31, was injured in the crash.

The crash happened about 12:30 a.m. today (Feb. 3) on the U.S. 19 N Frontage Road just south of 150th Avenue N in the unincorporated Clearwater area. Ashcom was on patrol when she
saw a disabled vehicle in the northbound curb lane of the U.S. 19 N Frontage Road. Ashcom activated her emergency overhead lights on her marked 2011 Crown Victoria patrol car and stopped her cruiser behind the disabled vehicle to block it from oncoming traffic.

While Ashcom was seated in her cruiser waiting for a tow truck to arrive, a 2015 Hyundai Elantra, traveling north on the Frontage Road hit the driver’s side of her car. Deputies said the Hyundai’s driver did not stop but continued north on the Frontage Road.

The cruiser was disabled by the crash. A tow truck driver who was arriving witnessed the crash and followed the Hyundai until deputies could conduct a traffic stop. Deputies said Kuhlow as the driver and sole occupant of the Hyundai. Deputies said they detected signs of impairment and arrested Kuhlow.

For information about the Pinellas sheriff, go to pcsoweb.com.

Pinellas Sheriff | Deputy-Involved Crash | DUI | Arrests | Tampa Bay Reporter

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