21-001 Major Accident Investigation Team (MAIT) Investigates A Fatal Pedestrian Crash Involving A Deputy In Largo

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

K-9 Deputy Alexander Edge (Driver-Uninjured)
Date of Hire: 07/01/2013
Age: 29
Vehicle: 2018 Fully marked Chevrolet Tahoe (Agency Vehicle)

Barry Fick (Pedestrian- Deceased)
DOB: 12/18/1961
Address: Transient

What:
Deputies assigned to the Major Accident Investigation Team (MAIT) are investigating a fatal pedestrian crash involving a deputy in Largo.

When:
The crash occurred at about 9:02 p.m. on Wednesday, January 6, 2021.

Where:
The crash occurred in the westbound lanes in front of 6363 Ulmerton Road in Largo.

Why/How:
Deputies assigned to the Major Accident Investigation Team (MAIT) are investigating a fatal pedestrian crash involving a deputy in Largo.

According to investigators, on Wednesday, January 6, 2021, at approximately 9:02 p.m., K-9 Deputy Edge was responding to deploy his K-9 regarding after suspects fled on foot from a stolen vehicle,

Deputy Edge was responding in his fully marked 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe with his emergency lights activated. Deputy Edge was traveling westbound on Ulmerton Road, just west of U.S. Highway 19, and was approaching an area where he believed the suspects were last seen. As Deputy Edge was coming to a stop, another deputy advised via radio that the suspects were running in a direction, which was behind Deputy Edge’s current location, and in front of 6363 Ulmerton Road.

Investigators say Deputy Edge stopped on Ulmerton Road, saw no vehicles behind him, and immediately placed his vehicle in reverse. With his emergency lights still activated, Deputy Edge began backing up, eastbound in the westbound lane of Ulmerton Road. Deputy Edge struck the pedestrian in the road with the driver’s side rear bumper.

The investigation determined that the pedestrian, 59-year-old Barry Fick, purchased items from the 7-Eleven store, located at 6333 Ulmerton Road. Fick walked across the store parking lot to Ulmerton Road and stopped at the edge of the roadway as Deputy Edge drove past. Immediately upon Deputy Edge slowing down Fick walked into the roadway behind Deputy Edge’s cruiser. Fick was not in a crosswalk when he was struck by Deputy Edge’s Tahoe. Fick walked behind Deputy Edge’s cruiser before the back-up camera or audible back-up alert could activate and it was not possible for Deputy Edge to see Fick in his mirrors. The investigation revealed alcohol may have been a factor involving Fick. 

Deputy Edge and his K-9 partner were not injured in the crash.

Fick sustained serious, life-threatening injuries and was transported to Bayfront Health in St. Petersburg. Fick succumbed to his injuries at 8:34 a.m. on Thursday, January 7, 2021.

Next of kin has been notified.

The investigation continues.

To view the video of the crash: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Ps4Zck89MA88-hyE6zpvQjVpbYeUDtG4/view?usp=sharing