19-243 Major Accident Investigation Team Investigates Two Vehicle Crash Following Citizen Report Of Woman Driving Dangerously On Dunedin Causeway

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

Deborah Jean Gillies (Driver- Arrested)
DOB: 06/01/1959
Address: 1054 Rolling Oaks Avenue, Tarpon Springs
Vehicle: 2019 Honda Insight
Charges: Two counts of Driving Under the Influence and one count of Reckless Driving with Property Damage or Injury

Frank Souza (Driver- Uninjured)
DOB: 12/21/1959
Address: 1417 Bell Shoals Road, Brandon
Vehicle: 2010 Mercedes Benz GL420

Adriana Souza (Passenger- Injured)
DOB: 07/16/1965
Address: 1417 Bell Shoals Road, Brandon
Vehicle: 2010 Mercedes Benz GL420

What:
Deputies assigned to the Major Accident Investigation Team (M.A.I.T.) are investigating a two vehicle crash after a citizen reported a woman driving dangerously on the Dunedin Causeway.

When:
Deputies received the call at about 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 8, 2019.

The crash occurred at about 7:12 p.m. on Sunday, September 8, 2019.

Where:
The crash occurred on Causeway Boulevard in Dunedin, just east of Honeymoon Island State Park.

Why/How:
Deputies assigned to the Major Accident Investigation Team (M.A.I.T.) are investigating a two vehicle crash after a citizen reported a woman driving dangerously on the Dunedin Causeway.

According to investigators, at about 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 8, 2019, a citizen called 911 to report that a silver colored Honda Insight was westbound on Causeway Boulevard in Dunedin, failing to maintain a lane and driving all over the road.

The caller continued following the vehicle and reported that the Honda almost struck multiple vehicles head on, almost struck the guardrail, and almost struck a pedestrian near Honeymoon Island State Park.

Deputies responded to the Dunedin Causeway and located the silver Honda Insight driving eastbound on Causeway Boulevard leaving Honeymoon Island State Park.

Investigators say a deputy activated their emergency lights and siren and tried initiating a traffic stop on the Honda but the driver did not stop. The Honda then crossed the center yellow line and almost collided with a responding deputy who took an evasive action to avoid a collision.

Investigators say the driver of the Honda crossed the center yellow line a second time and struck the left rear corner of a 2010 Mercedes Benz GL420 being driven by 59-year-old Frank Souza, who was traveling in the same direction on Causeway Boulevard.

Due to the driver’s extremely dangerous driving, one deputy utilized her marked Chevrolet Tahoe cruiser to make contact with the left rear corner of the Honda. The vehicle contact caused the Honda to stop while a second deputy stopped his marked cruiser in front of the Honda blocking it from driving away. 

Deputies made contact with the driver and only occupant of the Honda, 60-year-old Deborah Gillies of Tarpon Springs.

Paramedics responded to the scene and transported a passenger from the Mercedes Benz, 54-year-old Adriana Souza, to a local hospital for non-life threatening injuries. No other injuries were reported.

Investigators say Gillies showed signs of impairment by having bloodshot and watery eyes, and a distinct odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from her mouth.

Gillies submitted to a breath sample which indicated she had a BrAC of .256/.264.

When deputies interview Gillies she admitted to consuming alcohol earlier in the day.

Deputies arrested Gillies and transported her to the Pinellas County Jail without incident.

Gillies was charged with two counts of Driving Under the Influence and one count of Reckless Driving with Property Damage or Injury.

The investigation continues.  

Deborah Jean Gillies (Driver- Arrested)