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

Deputy John Newman (Driver – Uninjured)
Age: 33-years-old
Hire Date: 09/06/2005
Vehicle: 2013 Marked Chevrolet Tahoe Cruiser

Anna L. Donaldson (Driver – Injured)
DOB: 04/24/1950
Address: 130 Nancy Drive, Oldsmar
Vehicle: 2009 Honda CRV

James Higgins (Driver – Uninjured)
DOB: 06/16/1982
Address: 2136 Vance Avenue, Palm Harbor
Vehicle: 1999 Toyota 4 Runner

What:
Deputies assigned to the Major Accident Investigation Team (M.A.I.T.) are investigating a three vehicle crash involving an on duty deputy in Palm Harbor.

When:
The crash occurred at about 4:45 p.m. on Wednesday, October 12, 2016.

Where:
The crash occurred on Curlew Road just east of Landmark Drive in Palm Harbor.

How/Why:
Deputies assigned to the Major Accident Investigation Team (M.A.I.T.) are investigating a three vehicle crash involving an on duty deputy in Palm Harbor.

According to investigators, Deputy John Newman was on patrol when he was dispatched to a welfare check on Landmark Boulevard in Palm Harbor. Deputy Newman was responding to the call driving his agency marked 2013 Chevrolet Tahoe, eastbound on Curlew Road in the median lane approaching Landmark Drive.

When Deputy Newman passed the Landmark Drive intersection, he looked down at his laptop to obtain additional information on the dispatched call for service. Deputy Newman did not see traffic stopping in front of him for the red-light at Curlew Road and McMullen Booth Road. 

Investigators say that Deputy Newman’s cruiser struck the rear-end of a 2009 Honda CRV stopped in front of him, driven by 66-year-old Anna Donaldson. The vehicle impact pushed Donaldson’s Honda CRV forward and caused her vehicle to rear-end a 1999 Toyota 4 Runner, driven by 34-year-old James Higgins.

Paramedics responded to the scene and transported Donaldson to a local hospital for non-life threatening injuries. Deputy Newman and Higgins were uninjured.

Investigators say at the time of the crash, Deputy Newman was in non-emergency, normal response mode. Speed and impairment were not factors in the crash.

The investigation continues.