The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office said it is investigating the deputy-involved crash.

PINELLAS COUNTY – An off-duty deputy in an unmarked sheriff’s car hit one pedestrian and narrowly missed another in a crash in front of the Pinellas County Courthouse, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

Robert J. Arsenault, 26, was taken to Northside Hospital with a fracture to his lower leg. The other pedestrian, Christopher Akins, 33, was not injured. Both are transients, the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office said. Also uninjured was Sgt. Glenn Ward, 53, who has worked for the Pinellas sheriff since Sept. 11, 1989. Impairment does not appear to be a factor in the crash.

The crash happened about 3:33 p.m. Friday (July 7) in front of the Pinellas County Courthouse, 14250 49th St. N, in Clearwater. Ward had completed his work day and was trying to leave the courthouse parking lot. Ward, who was driving an unmarked 2016 Ford Fusion belonging to the department, was behind another vehicle that was stopped at the stop sign. Pedestrians were on the sidewalk area in front of the courthouse, although none of them appeared ready to cross in front of the vehicles entering and exiting the courthouse.

The vehicle in front of Ward turned onto 49th to go south, and Ward also started to leave after stopping at the stop sign. He, too, was trying to turn south onto 49th.

Arsenault and Akins emerged suddenly in front of Ward’s unmarked car, deputies said. Ward who was traveling slowly was unable to take evasive action and struck Arsenault. He narrowly
avoided Akins who pushed off of Ward’s car.

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

Pinellas Sheriff | Deputy-Involved Crash | Deputy Hits Pedestrian | Traffic Crash | Traffic Accident | Tampa Bay News | TB Reporter

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