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

Katie Scott (Driver - Injured)
DOB: 03/22/1992
Address: 3450 Manor Drive, Homewood, Alabama
Vehicle: 2008 Ford Mustang

Claude Ricciotti (Driver – Uninjured)
DOB: 12/05/1954
Address: 7540 121 Avenue North, Largo
Vehicle: 1994 Nissan Pickup

John Huff (Forensic Specialist)
Age: 52
Date of Hire: 03/30/1998

What:
Deputies assigned to the Major Accident Investigation Team are investigating a two-vehicle crash in which the injured driver blacked out due to the impact. A member assigned to the Sheriff’s Forensics Unit intercepted the car, to prevent it from rolling into traffic.

When:
The crash occurred at about 1:40 p.m.on Saturday, November 28, 2015.

Where:
The crash occurred at the intersection of 49^th Street and 118^th Avenue North in Clearwater.

Why/How:
According to investigators, 23-year-old Katie Scott was stopped in the southbound left turn lane of 49th Street in a 2008 Ford Mustang waiting for a green arrow.

60-year-old Claude Ricciotti was traveling westbound on 118^th Avenue approaching 49^th Street in a 1994 Nissan pickup. Deputies say Ricciotti failed to stop as the light turned red and continued through the intersection of 49^th Street striking the Mustang. Deputies say the impact caused Scott to blackout and lose control of her vehicle. According to investigators, the Mustang continued to roll across the intersection and into traffic while Scott was slumped over the wheel.

Sheriff’s Office Forensics Specialist John Huff who was on duty at the time, was stopped at the south side of the intersection facing north on 49^th Street. Huff witnessed the crash and observed that the driver of the Mustang was slumped over and not able to control her rolling vehicle. Investigators say Huff pulled his Sheriff’s Office Ford Econoline van in the Mustang’s path to prevent it from continuing to roll. The front of the Mustang impacted the driver’s side rear quarter panel of the Forensics van causing minor damage.

Scott was transported to Bayfront Medical Center for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.

No other injuries were reported.

Deputies say Huff’s actions prevented the Mustang, with its injured driver, from rolling into cross traffic.

Investigators say neither alcohol nor speed were a factor in the crash.

The investigation continues.