19-081 M.A.I T. Investigates Multiple Vehicle Crash In Dunedin

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

Frank Norcia III (Driver – Injured)
DOB: 03/20/1965
Address: Odessa
Vehicle: 1995 Toyota Tercel

Dawn Lopez (Driver – Injured)
DOB: 04/26/1961
Address: Palm Harbor
Vehicle: 2014 Nissan Versa

Alan Newhart (Driver – Uninjured)
DOB: 01/18/1948
Address: Dunedin
Vehicle: 2002 Ford Escape

Tracy Olsen (Driver – Uninjured)
DOB: 02/09/1961
Address: Clearwater
Vehicle: 2014 Toyota Corolla

What:
Deputies assigned to the Major Accident Investigation Team (M.A.I.T.) investigate a multiple vehicle crash in Dunedin.

When:
The crash occurred at about 1:44 p.m. on Sunday, May 19, 2019.

Where:
The crash occurred on Main Street at Patricia Avenue in Dunedin.

Why/How:
Deputies assigned to the Major Accident Investigation Team (M.A.I.T.) investigate a multiple vehicle crash in Dunedin.

According to investigators, 54-year-old Frank Norcia III was driving his 1995 Toyota Tercel eastbound on Main Street in the median lane, approaching the traffic light at Patricia Avenue in Dunedin.

Investigators say a 2014 Nissan Versa operated by 58-year-old Dawn Lopez, was stopped in front of Norcia on Main Street at Patricia Avenue. As the traffic light turned green Lopez started to proceed eastbound on Main Street. Norcia failed to acknowledge the slower traffic in front of him and crashed into the rear of Lopez’s Nissan.

The crash caused a chain reaction that sent Lopez’s Nissan crashing into the rear end of a 2014 Toyota Corolla driven by 58-year-old Tracy Olsen.

Norcia’s Toyota veered into the adjacent curb lane and crashed into a 2002 Ford Escape driven by 71-year-old Alan Newhart.

Norcia was transported to a local hospital for life threatening injuries. Lopez was transported to the hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. Newhart and Olsen were uninjured.

Investigators say impairment may be a factor in the crash.

The investigation continues.