20-063 Major Accident Investigation Team (MAIT) Investigates Crash Involving Prisoner Transport Van In Pinellas Park; Inmate Injured

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

G4S Prisoner Transportation

G4S Security Officer Dale Hartzell – (Driver – Uninjured)
Age: 41
Vehicle: 2019 Ford Transit 250

Zachary Bailey (Bicyclist – Uninjured)
DOB: 5/26/1995
Address: 7036 72^nd Street North, Pinellas Park

Jennifer Rhoads (Inmate – Uninjured)
DOB: 9/29/1971
Address: 611 Southwest Blvd, St. Petersburg
Vehicle: 2019 Ford Transit 250

Bryan Lucas (Inmate – Injured)
DOB: 3/19/1983
Address: 6690 10^th Avenue Terrace South, St. Petersburg
Vehicle: 2019 Ford Transit 250

What:
Deputies assigned to the Major Accident Investigation Team (MAIT) are investigating a vehicle vs bicycle crash involving a Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office prisoner transport van in Pinellas Park that injured an adult inmate.

When:
The crash happened at 1:58 a.m. on Wednesday, April 28, 2020.

Where:
The crash occurred at the intersection of Park Boulevard North and 71^st Street North in the city of Pinellas Park.

Why/How:
Deputies assigned to the Major Accident Investigation Team (M.A.I.T.) are investigating a vehicle vs bicycle crash involving a Sheriff’s Office prisoner transport van and a man on a bicycle.

According to investigators, a Sheriff’s Office prisoner transport van driven by G4S Security Officer Dale Hartzell was travelling Eastbound on Park Boulevard in the center lane. A bicyclist, 24-year-old Zachary Bailey, was crossing Park Boulevard at the intersection of 71^st Street against the crosswalk signal.

Investigators say, as Hartzell approached the intersection of Park Boulevard and 71^st Street he had a green light. Bailey entered the intersection from the opposite side of Park Boulevard, swerved to avoid other traffic, and struck the rear of the transport van.

Deputies learned, two inmates in the rear of the van, Jennifer Rhoads and Bryan Lucas, struck the metal partitions when Hartzell stopped suddenly to avoid Bailey.

Lucas sustained non-life threatening injures and was transported to Northside Hospital. He was medically cleared and transported to the Pinellas County Jail.

Hartzell, Rhoads, and Bailey were not injured and refused medical treatment on scene. Rhoads was transported to the Pinellas County Jail.

Speed and impairment are not factors in the crash.

The investigation continues.