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Pinellas Deputy, FHP Trooper Suffer Minor Injuries in U.S. 19 Crash

Police Tape | Accident | Crime

The two were conducting a traffic stop when the crash happened, the Florida Highway Patrol said. Troopers are looking for a car that left the scene.

PINELLAS COUNTY – A Pinellas County deputy and a Florida Highway Patrol trooper suffered minor injuries this morning (July 3) in a hit-and-run-type crash on U.S. 19, according to the FHP.

Deputy Brian J. Sudbrink, 49, of Largo, was taken to Florida Hospital Palm Harbor with minor injuries. Trooper James Bregon, 56, of Pinellas Park also suffered minor injuries but was not taken to a hospital.

The crash happened about 6:13 a.m. on U.S. 19 N north of Highlands Boulevard in Pinellas County.

The FHP said a Ford Crown Victoria was stopped in traffic on U.S. 19 when it suddenly changed lanes in front of a 1996 Ford Ranger driven by Samuel Barker, 61, of New Port Richey. Barker veered to the right to avoid being hit and lost control of the Ford on the wet pavement.

The Ford spun and hit an unoccupied 2014 Dodge Charger belonging to the FHP. The Ford continued traveling and hit a 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe belonging to the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office.

At the time of the crash, Sudbrink, who was conducting a traffic stop, was in the Chevrolet. Bregon was standing next to the Chevrolet acting as Sudbrink’s backup.

The force of the impact pushed the Chevrolet into Bregon and knocked him to the ground.

The car that left the scene was described as a white Ford Crown Victoria taxi cab. Anyone with any information about the incident is asked to call the FHP at (813) 558-1800 or *FHP.

Florida Highway Patrol | Pinellas Sheriff | Traffic Crash | U.S. 19 Crash | Hit and Run Crash | Tampabay News

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