Who: Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Operations Bureau -Major Accident Investigation Team (M.A.I.T) Deputy Michael Weiner (Driver- Injured) Hire Date: 08/04/2014 Vehicle: 2010 Crown Victoria Deputy Dean Welshans (Driver- Uninjured) Hire Date: 05/18/2015 Vehicle: 2009 Crown Victoria Nicholas D. Vancuren (Driver- Injured) DOB: 06/23/1989 Address: 5700 6th Avenue North, St. Petersburg FL Vehicle: 2002 Lincoln What: Deputies assigned to the Major Accident Investigation Team (M.A.I.T.) are investigating a three vehicle crash that involved two on duty deputies in Madeira Beach. When: The crash occurred at about 2:06 a.m. on May 30, 2016. Where: The crash occurred on Gulf Boulevard near the intersection of Madeira Way in Madeira Beach. Why/How: Deputies assigned to the Major Accident Investigation Team (M.A.I.T.) are investigating a three vehicle crash that involved two on duty deputies in Madeira Beach. According to investigators, Deputy Michael Weiner initiated a traffic stop on an unrelated vehicle and was stopped in the southbound curb lanes of Gulf Boulevard near the intersection of Madeira Way with his emergency lights on.
Deputy Dean Welshans arrived on scene to provide backup and stopped his marked cruiser directly behind Deputy Weiner’s marked cruiser with his emergency lights on. Deputy Welshans was out of his vehicle and was standing on the sidewalk near the passenger side of Deputy Weiner’s cruiser when a 2002 Lincoln being driven by 26-year-old Nicholas Vancuren was traveling southbound on Gulf Boulevard.
Investigators say that Vancuren’s Lincoln crashed into the back of Deputy Welshans’ cruiser and caused a chain reaction pushing Deputy Welshans' cruiser into the rear-end of Deputy Weiner’s cruiser.
Deputy Weiner and Vancuren were both transported to local hospitals for non-life threatening injuries. Deputy Welshans was not injured.
Investigators believe that impairment was a factor in this crash. The investigation continues.
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