A 27-year-old Indiana woman was arrested early Saturday morning after Florida troopers say she ran a red light and crashed into a marked Pinellas Park police cruiser.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the crash happened at approximately 3:20 a.m. on June 27 at the intersection of Ulmerton Road and 49th Street North in Pinellas County.
Troopers say Jessica Harvey, of Avon, Indiana, was driving a Chevrolet Traverse eastbound on Ulmerton Road when she failed to stop for a red traffic signal.
At the same time, a marked Pinellas Park Police Department patrol vehicle was traveling westbound on Ulmerton Road. The officer was attempting to make a left turn under a green traffic signal when Harvey’s SUV collided with the police cruiser.
Troopers Say Driver Was Impaired
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The officer was not injured in the collision.
Following the crash, Florida Highway Patrol troopers determined Harvey was impaired and placed her under arrest.
According to Pinellas County Jail records, Harvey was booked into the Pinellas County Jail at 9:15 a.m. Saturday by the Florida Highway Patrol. She was charged with misdemeanor DUI – Influence of Alcohol or Drugs under Florida Statute 316.193(1).
Jail records show a judge set Harvey’s bond at $1,000. At the time of booking, she was listed as being held in custody awaiting trial.
Social Media Reactions
After the Florida Highway Patrol Tampa district shared details of the crash on social media, many commenters were simply relieved the officer wasn’t hurt.
Several wished the officer well, while others noted that late-night driving can be especially dangerous.
One commenter claimed to have witnessed the collision and questioned whether the patrol vehicle briefly activated its emergency lights before entering the intersection. However, the Florida Highway Patrol’s preliminary investigation states Harvey failed to stop for a red traffic signal before colliding with the patrol vehicle. Troopers have not indicated that the officer’s emergency lights contributed to the crash.
The crash remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.