22-038 Major Accident Investigation Team Investigates Deputy Involved Pedestrian Crash in St. Pete Beach
MAIT Investigation
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
Patrol Operations Bureau
-Major Accident Investigation Team (MAIT)
Deputy Todd Brien (Driver- Uninjured)
Age: 58
Date of Hire: 11/12/2013
Vehicle: Fully marked 2017 Chevrolet Tahoe
Robin Diffenderfer (Pedestrian – non-life threatening injuries)
DOB: 08/14/1998
PINELLAS COUNTY – Deputies assigned to the Major Accident Investigation Team are conducting a deputy-involved crash investigation in St. Pete Beach.
On Wednesday, May 4, 2022 at approximately 1:08 p.m., deputies responded to 4450 Gulf Boulevard on St. Pete Beach for a vehicle versus pedestrian crash.
Investigators say Deputy Brien was on beach patrol behind 4450 Gulf Boulevard, and was parked facing west in his 2017 fully Marked Chevrolet Tahoe. While Deputy Brien was speaking to several pedestrians on the beach, he was dispatched to a 911 hang up call at another location. Deputy Brien made a right turn from his parked position, when he struck 23-year-old Robin Diffenderfer while she was lying on her back in the sand. According to investigators, the front driver side tire of the Tahoe drove over Diffenderfer’s right side and mid to upper back area.
Diffenderfer sustained non-life threatening injuries and was transported to the hospital.
Deputy Brien was not injured.
The investigation continues.
