19-041 Major Accident Investigation Team Investigates Deputy Involved Crash In Unincorporated Pinellas Park

Who:
Pinellas County Sheriff's Office
Patrol Operations Bureau
-Major Accident Investigation Team (M.A.I.T.)

Deputy Jonathan Ferguson (Driver – Minor Injuries)
Age: 32
Hire Date: 06/10/2013
Vehicle: 2016 marked PCSO Chevrolet Tahoe

Richard Peterson (Driver – Minor Injuries)
DOB: 03/08/1945
Vehicle: 2018 Chevrolet Equinox

Brittney Hunter (Driver – Deceased)
DOB: 06/06/1990
Vehicle: 2002 Buick LaSabre

What:
Deputies assigned to the Major Accident Investigation Team are investigating a deputy involved crash that occurred in unincorporated Pinellas Park.

When:
The crash occurred at about 3:08 a.m. on Thursday, March 14, 2019.

Where:
The crash occurred at 126^th Avenue North and 66^th Street North in unincorporated Pinellas Park.

Why/How:
Deputies assigned to the Major Accident Investigation Team are investigating a deputy involved crash that occurred in unincorporated Pinellas Park.

Investigators say, Deputy Ferguson was off-duty, having finished his shift, and traveling northbound on 66^th Street North, in the middle lane, approaching the intersection at 126^nd Avenue North. Deputy Ferguson was driving a fully marked PCSO Chevrolet Tahoe.

Investigators report, 74-year-old Richard Peterson was also traveling northbound on 66^th Street North, in a 2018 Chevy Equinox, in the median lane, approaching the intersection at 126^th Avenue North.

Both Deputy Ferguson and Peterson came to a stop at the red light at the intersection of 66^th Street North and 126^th Avenue North.

According to investigators, 28-year-old Brittney Hunter was driving her 2002 Buick LaSabre southbound in the northbound lanes of 66^th Street North, approaching the stopped vehicles facing northbound at 126^th Avenue North intersection. Hunter went through the intersection and struck Peterson’s vehicle head-on, which pushed Peterson’s vehicle into Deputy Ferguson’s agency vehicle and rolled Peterson’s vehicle onto the driver’s side.

Paramedics responded to the scene and transported Hunter to a local hospital for life-threatening injuries, where she was later pronounced deceased.

Deputy Ferguson and Peterson were also transported to a local hospital for minor injuries. Both have been released.

Impairment does appear to be a factor in the crash.

Next of kin has been notified.

The investigation continues.