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

Florida Highway Patrol

Deputy Brian Sudbrink (Injured)
Age: 49
Date of Hire: 01/14/2004
Vehicle: 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe (marked cruiser)

Trooper James Bregon (Uninjured)
Vehicle: 2014 Dodge Charger (marked cruiser)

Samuel Barker (Uninjured)
DOB: 07/01/1957
Address: 10300 Maverick Street, New Port Richey
Vehicle: 1996 Ford Ranger

What:
Deputies assigned to the Major Accident Investigation Team are investigating a three vehicle crash involving a Pinellas deputy and a trooper.  

When:
The crash occurred at about 6:08 a.m. on Tuesday, July 3, 2018.

Where:
The crash occurred near the intersection of U.S. Highway 19 North and Highlands Boulevard, Palm Harbor.

Why/How:
Deputies assigned to the Major Accident Investigation Team are investigating a three vehicle crash involving a Pinellas deputy and a trooper. 

According to investigators, at about 6:08 a.m. on July 3, 2018, Deputy Brian Sudbrink was stopped in his 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe marked cruiser on the southbound shoulder of U.S. Highway 19 North, just north of the intersection of Highland Avenue in Palm Harbor. Deputy Sudbrinks’ emergency lights were on and he was stopped behind a vehicle regarding a traffic stop he initiated.

Florida Highway Patrol Trooper James Bregon was assisting Deputy Sudbrink on the traffic stop. Trooper Bregon’s 2014 Dodge Charger marked cruiser was stopped on the shoulder of the roadway behind Deputy Sudbrink’s cruiser with its emergency lights on.

Investigators say 61-year-old Samuel Barker was driving southbound on U.S. Highway 19 North in his 1996 Ford Ranger when he veered off the roadway and struck Trooper Bregon’s patrol vehicle. Barker’s Ford truck spun and struck Deputy Sudbrink’s patrol vehicle while Deputy Sudbrink was sitting inside his cruiser.

Trooper Bregon was standing outside Deputy Sudbrink’s vehicle at the time of the crash and the impact knocked Trooper Bregon to the ground.

Paramedics responded to the scene. Deputy Sudbrink was taken to Florida Hospital Palm Harbor with non-life threatening injuries. Trooper Bregon and Samuel Barker were uninjured.

Barker told investigators that an unidentified taxi cab cut him off in traffic which caused him to make an evasive maneuver and veer off the roadway.

Investigators say neither speed nor impairment appear to be factors in this case.

The investigation continues.