Michael Brown, age 21 of Clearwater, was injured after crashing his motorcycle while fleeing from a Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) deputy.
The crash occurred in the eastbound lane of State Road 590, just west of the McMullen Booth Road at approximately at approximately 3:47 p.m. on Friday, January 19, 2018.
According to investigators from the PCSO Major Accident Investigation Team, 21-year-old Michael Brown was driving his 2016 Yamaha motorcycle at a high rate of speed northbound on U.S. Highway 19 North, near Drew Street in Clearwater.
A deputy observed Brown speeding and driving recklessly as he weaved in and out of traffic. The deputy followed Brown as he made an eastbound turn onto State Road 590. The deputy activated his emergency lights and sirens in an attempt to stop Brown. Investigators say Brown fled from the deputy at a high rate of speed and continued eastbound on State Road 590.
The deputy did not pursue Brown and lost sight of the motorcycle.
Investigators say Brown continued eastbound on State Road 590 at a high rate of speed passing several vehicles on the roadway. As Brown approached McMullen Booth Road, a Clearwater resident, Douglas Deserre, was driving his 2004 Subaru Outback and pulled out of a shopping center on the south side of State Road 590.
Deserre was making a turn onto State Road 590 when he saw Brown traveling toward him at a high rate of speed. Deserre stopped his vehicle in the roadway and tried backing up to avoid a collision; however, Brown lost control of his motorcycle and crashed into the driver side of Deserre’s Subaru.
Paramedics responded to the scene and transported Brown to St. Joseph’s Hospital for non-life threatening injuries. Deserre was not injured.
Investigators say Brown’s speed was a contributing factor in the crash. Impairment does not appear to be a factor.
Criminal charges are pending for Brown.
Brown was arrested for reckless driving and not obtaining a valid motorcycle endorsement on April 27, 2016. At that time, Brown was charged with operating a Yamaha motorcycle in excess of 130 mph on southbound US-19 near 124th Avenue. As a result of that arrest, he was adjudicated guilty, paid court fees of approximately $750, and completed an aggressive driver course.
The investigation continues.