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Driver Dead in Police-Involved Largo Crash

Police Lights | Florida | TB Reporter

The police officer was seriously injured, the Largo Police Department said. A police dog was not injured. Officers said the man drove into the path of the police car, which had its lights and siren on.

LARGO – A man is dead and a police officer on his way to a domestic violence call was seriously injured in a traffic crash late Saturday (May 5) night, the Largo Police Department said.

Christopher Griffin, 36, died at the scene. Officers said he was not wearing a seat belt and was thrown from the Jeep he was driving. Officers said they are investigating whether Mr. Griffin was under the influence of alcohol.

K9 Officer Thomas Dziamba, 34, was taken to a local hospital with serious injuries. He is now at home and expected to make a full recovery. Drax, Dziamba’s police dog, was not injured in the crash. Dziamba has worked for the Largo department for three years.

The crash happened about 10:18 p.m. Officers said Dziamba was driving east in the 3600 block of East Bay Drive with his lights and siren activated. He and Drax were answering a call from help regarding a domestic disturbance during which the suspect had kicked in the front door to the victim’s home and was inside.

Mr. Griffin was driving a 2010 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited south on a cross street. Police said witnesses told them Mr. Griffin entered East Bay Drive into the path of the K9 cruiser. The two vehicles collided.

Largo Police | Traffic Crash | Fatal Crash | Christopher Griffin | Officer-Involved Crash | Tampabay News

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