Largo Man Causes Crash on US19, Gets Tased, Then Swallows Ectasy
November 5, 2014
On Tuesday, November 4, 2014 officers from Pinellas Park Police responded to a report of a crash in the 8700 block of US 19 in the northbound lanes. While investigating the crash they learned that the person who caused the accident fled the scene.
The driver of the vehicle that fled the scene has been identified as 30 year-old Travis C. Hargrove of Largo. According to officers, Hargrove was observed by several people driving recklessly south on US 19 as early as Gulf to Bay. Witnesses followed the silver Audi that Hargrove was driving following the crash as the vehicle pulled into the parking lot in the 8000 block of US 19 on the west side of the highway. He then entered a dead-end on 80th Avenue and turned around and again entered southbound US 19. he then entered the parking lot of the Wal-Mart neighborhood Market located at 6900 US 19.
An officer was in this parking lot on an unrelated call for service when he heard reports of the driving fleeing the scene of an injury accident. The officer made contact with the vehicle and observed that one of the tires was bare and to the rim. During contact with the vehicle and the driver the officer realized something was not right with the situation and attempted to detain the driver.
A physical struggle ensued and a passerby called the police to report that our officer was physically struggling with a male subject in the parking lot. Back up was dispatched to the scene and ultimately deployed a Taser to subdue the combative subject.
During a search of the suspect’s person and property multiple controlled substances were located and were later identified as Ecstasy and Molly. At some point the suspect lunged forward while in handcuffs and was able to consume one pill which was later determined to be Ecstasy.
Hargrove suffered minor injuries from the crash and struggle with officers and was transported to Northside Hospital for treatment. The driver told officers that he did not flee the location and stopped at the first available location following the accident. The location where the suspect was located was more than 2 miles from the site of the crash.
Hargrove was traveling southbound on US 19 in the center lane at the time of the crash. The driver of a green Honda Accord was traveling southbound on US 19 in the median lane. A silver Ford Escape was traveling northbound on US 19 in the median lane slowing to a stop for traffic that was backed up from Mainlands Blvd.
Hargrove changed into median lane and struck the right rear of the Accord. It initially started going to the right and then over-corrected to the left. The Accord went over median and crossed into the northbound lanes of US 19 striking the Ford Escape head-on. Hargrove fled the scene southbound on US 19.
The driver of the Escape was transported to Bayfront Hospital as a trauma alert after being extricated by crews from the Fire Department. The male driver has a broken ankle, broken knee and a broken shoulder & arm. The man was in surgery into the early morning hours. The passenger in the Escape was injured however refused medical transport to a hospital.
The driver of the Honda was transported to Bayfront Hospital with non-incapacitating injuries.
Hargrove was charged with 3 counts of Leaving the Scene of a crash with Injury, 1 count of Felony Driving While License Suspended, 2 counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance, 1 count of tampering with evidence, 1 count of resisting an officer with violence, and violation of probation. DUI charges are pending the results of a toxicology test.
No officers were injured during this incident. Traffic was backed up for more than an hour following this crash.
Hargrove was released from the Pinellas County Jail on October 1st of this year and is on felony probation for Fraud. He is currently in the Pinellas County Jail. Records indicate this to be his 13th arrest in Pinellas County.
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