19-077 Major Accident Investigation Team Investigates A Deputy Involved Crash In St. Petersburg

Who:
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
- Major Accident Investigation Team (MAIT)

Deputy Melanie Leib (Driver- Uninjured)
Age: 27
Date of Hire: 07/01/2013
Vehicle: Fully marked 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe

Mack Anderson (Driver- Injured)
DOB: 06/21/1943
Vehicle: 2005 Hyundai Elantra

What:
Deputies assigned to the Major Accident Investigation Team (MAIT) are investigating a deputy involved crash in St. Petersburg.

When:
The crash occurred at about 9:04 p.m. on Thursday, May 9, 2019.

Where:
The crash occurred at 1856 18^th Avenue South in St. Petersburg.

Why/How:
Deputies assigned to the Major Accident Investigation Team (MAIT) are investigating a deputy involved crash in St. Petersburg.

According to investigators, Deputy Melanie Leib was on-duty and driving her marked 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe, traveling eastbound on 18^th Avenue South. Deputy Leib’s emergency lights and sirens were activated, as she was responding to a call for a male subject who fled from deputies on foot.

Investigators say, 76-year-old Mack Anderson was also traveling eastbound on 18^th Avenue South, but had stopped his 2005 Hyundai Elantra in the right lane at 1856 18^th Avenue South, yielding to the emergency lights.

While responding to the call, Deputy Leib was following behind another deputy’s unmarked agency vehicle. As the other deputy came to a stop to make a northbound turn from 18^th Avenue South onto 19th Street South, Deputy Leib could not stop in time and attempted to avoid the collision by swerving to the right. When Deputy Leib swerved to the right, her agency vehicle struck the rear of Anderson’s vehicle.  

Anderson was transported by ambulance to a local hospital with minor injuries and was released shortly after.

Deputy Leib was not injured. 

Neither speed nor impairment appear to be a factor.

The investigation continues.