19-287 Major Accident Investigation Team Investigates A Deputy Involved Crash In Unincorporated St. Petersburg

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

Deputy Denise Duran (Driver- Uninjured)
Age: 45
Date of Hire: 01/22/2019
Vehicle: Fully marked 2010 Ford Crown Victoria

Deputy Nazir Amin (Passenger- Minor Injuries)
Age: 33
Date of Hire: 07/18/2016
Vehicle: Fully marked 2010 Ford Crown Victoria

Leilani Smith (Driver- Uninjured)
DOB: 01/21/1987
Vehicle: 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis
Charges: Driving Under the Influence and Refusal to Submit to Testing

What:
Deputies assigned to the Major Accident Investigation Team (MAIT) are investigating a deputy involved crash in unincorporated St. Petersburg, where one deputy was transported to the hospital with minor injuries.

When:
The crash occurred at about 1:08 a.m. on Sunday, November 17, 2019.

Where:
The crash occurred at the intersection of 38^th Avenue North and 49^th Street North.

Why/How:
Deputies assigned to the Major Accident Investigation Team (MAIT) are investigating a deputy involved crash in unincorporated St. Petersburg, where one deputy was transported to the hospital with minor injuries.

According to investigators, Deputy Denise Duran was on-duty and driving her fully marked 2010 Ford Crown Victoria eastbound on 38^th Avenue North and was attempting to make a northbound turn onto 49^th Street North.

Investigators say, 32-year-old Leilani Smith was traveling westbound on 38^th Avenue North in her 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis, approaching the intersection of 49^th Street North.

Deputies say the traffic light for both westbound and eastbound traffic on 38^th Avenue North was yellow as Deputy Duran made a northbound turn on 49^th Street, and into the path of Smith, who struck the passenger side of the agency vehicle.

Deputy Nazir Amin was a passenger in the agency vehicle and was transported to a local hospital with minor injuries. He has since been released from the hospital.

Deputy Duran and Smith were not injured. 

During the investigation, Smith showed signs of impairment. She was subsequently arrested and charged with Driving Under the Influence and Refusal to Submit to Testing.

Smith was transported to the Pinellas County Jail without incident.

The investigation continues.