Two drivers were injured in the crash,.Pinellas deputies said they were not pursuing him.

SAFETY HARBOR – A driver who refused to stop when a deputy tried to pull him over caused a three-car crash when he ran a red light, according to the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office.

Vetson F. Love, 26, of 2821 Old Village Way in Oldsmar, was taken to St. Joseph’s Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Deputies said Love was charged with one cont each of aggravated fleeing and eluding and possession of a controlled substance (cocaine). John Pearson, 24, of Dunedin, on of the other drivers, was taken to Mease-Countryside Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The third driver was not injured.

The incident began about 7 p.m. Wednesday (Dec. 28) when a Pinellas deputy tried to stop a 2013 Nissan Altima that had failed to stop at a stop sign at 7th Street and 10th Avenue N in Safety Harbor. When the deputy activated his emergency lights and siren, the Nissan fled westbound on 7th Street to Cedar Street. The deputy did not pursue the Nissan.

Deputies said the Nissan, which was driven by Love, continued westbound on Cedar at a high rate of speed approaching McMullen Booth Road. The Nissan failed to stop at a red traffic light and continued through the intersection crashing into the driver side of a 2008 Cadillac CTS driven by Pearson. The Cadillac was in the southbound center lane of McMullen Booth Road with a green traffic light, deputies said.

After striking the Cadillac, deputies said the Nissan continued out of control in a southwest direction and crashed into a 2013 Kia Soul driven by Cassandra Staneefer, 32, of St. Petersburg. Deputies said the Kia wsa in the southbound curb lane of McMullen Booth.

Deputies said Love admitted fleeing when the deputy tried stopping him. Deputies said they found crack cocaine in Love’s possession.

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

Pinellas Sheriff | Traffic Crash | Crime | Arrests | Safety Harbor | TB Reporter

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