20-072 Major Accident Investigation Team Investigates Deputy Involved Crash With A Motorcycle In Indian Rocks Beach

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

Deputy Austin Rill (Driver – Uninjured)
Date of Hire: 01/22/2019
Age: 23
Vehicle: 2020 Chevrolet Tahoe (Agency Vehicle)

Charles P. Roberts (Driver – Injured)
DOB: 07/02/1968
Address: 539 83^rd Avenue North, St. Petersburg
Vehicle: 2007 Harley Davidson

Vanessa M. Bennett (Passenger – Injured)
DOB: 06/14/1968
Address: 673 Garland Circle, Indian Rocks Beach
Vehicle: 2007 Harley Davidson

What:
Deputies assigned to the Major Accident Investigation Team are investigating a deputy involved crash with a motorcycle in Indian Rocks Beach.

When:
The crash occurred at about 10:37 p.m. on May 15, 2020.

Where:
The crash occurred on Gulf Boulevard at 4^th Avenue in Indian Rocks Beach.  

Why/How:
Deputies assigned to the Major Accident Investigation Team are investigating a deputy involved crash with a motorcycle in Indian Rocks Beach.

According to investigators, on Friday, May 15, 2020, Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Austin Rill was on duty and driving a fully marked 2020 Chevrolet Tahoe. Deputy Rill was traveling southbound on Gulf Boulevard when he made a left turn to travel eastbound onto 4^th Avenue.

Investigators say Deputy Rill was attempting to stop two vehicles that turned eastbound onto 4^th Avenue ahead of him. 51-year-old Charles Roberts was traveling northbound with his passenger, 51-year-old Vanessa Bennett, and struck the side of the Tahoe.

Roberts and Bennett sustained non-life-threatening injuries and Roberts was treated on scene. Bennett was transported to the hospital and later released.

Deputy Rill was not injured.

Impairment and speed are not factors in this case.

The investigation continues.