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

Robert A. Schermerhorn (Driver)
DOB: 01/08/1947
Address: 2910 Markridge Road, Sarasota
Vehicle: 2012 Mercedes EL 350

Mary Ellen Dyer (Passenger)
DOB: 04/24/1950
Address: 2960 59^th Street South, Gulfport
Vehicle: 2012 Mercedes EL 350

What:
Deputies assigned to the Major Accident Investigation Team are investigating a crash where a man drove his vehicle into the Intracoastal Waterway at Blind Pass, killing a female passenger in St. Pete Beach.

When:
The crash occurred at about 3:00 a.m. on July 14, 2016.

The victim was found at about 2:23 p.m. on July 14, 2016.  

Where:
The crash occurred at 677 75^th Avenue North in St. Pete Beach.

The victim was found in the Intracoastal Waterway near 10077 Gulf Boulevard in Treasure Island. 

Why/How:
According to investigators, sixty-nine-year old Robert Schermerhorn was driving his Mercedes Benz, westbound on 75^th Avenue approaching the intersection of Sunset Way. Schermerhorn failed to make the left southbound turn onto Sunset Way, crashed into a wooden fence, and drove over the seawall into the Intracoastal Waterway known as Blind Pass.

Investigators say that Schermerhorn successfully escaped the sinking vehicle and swam to safety before the vehicle sank and was completely submerged underwater. The passenger in Schermerhorn’s vehicle, 66-year-old Mary Dyer, never surfaced.

When deputies arrived, Schermerhorn informed deputies that Dyer was likely trapped inside the submerged vehicle. Deputies searched for the vehicle and called for additional resources in an attempt to rescue Dyer.   

The Marine Unit and the Dive Team responded to the scene and located the vehicle at the bottom of the pass in approximately 25 feet of water. The vehicle was pulled from the water but Dyer was not inside the vehicle.

Marine deputies continued their search for Dyer.

According to investigators, deputies received a report at about 2:22 p.m. on July 14, 2016, of a body found floating near 10077 Gulf Boulevard in Treasure Island. Marine deputies responded and investigators confirmed that the body was that of Dyer.

Dyer’s next of kin has been notified.

Schermerhorn was transported to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Investigators believe that impairment may have been a factor.

The investigation continues.