The deputy swerved to avoid hitting another deputy and hit a civilian’s car instead, Pinellas sheriff’s investigators said.

ST. PETERSBURG – A St. Petersburg man suffered minor injuries Thursday (May 9) night when a deputy crashed into his car, according to the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office.

Mack Anderson, 76, of St. Petersburg, was taken to a local hospital with minor injuries and was released shortly after. Deputy Melanie Leib, 27, was not hurt.

The crash happened about 9:04 p.m. at the intersection of 18th Avenue S and 19th Street in St. Petersburg.

According to investigators, Leib was on duty and driving her marked 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe east on 18th Avenue S. Leib’s emergency lights and sirens were on as she was responding to a call abount a man who had fled from deputies on foot.

Anderson was also traveling east on 18th Avenue S, but had stopped his 2005 Hyundai Elantra in the right lane at 1856 18th Ave. S, yielding to the emergency lights.

Leib was behind another deputy’s unmarked sheriff’s vehicle. As the other deputy came to a stop to turn north from 18th Avenueh onto 19th Street S, Leib was unable to stop in time and tried to avoid the collision by swerving to the right. When Leib swerved to the right, her Tahoe hit the rear of Anderson’s Elantra.

Neither speed nor impairment appear to be a factor, investigators said.

Pinellas Sheriff | 18th Avenue Crash | Deputy-Involved Crash | Tampabay News

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