At approximately 9:30 PM on Wednesday, January 25, 2017, a Pinellas County Sheriff’s Deputy made contact with an impaired man in the 31900 block of US-19 across from Outback Steakhouse south of Tampa Road.
According to the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, Deputy Ian Collman was on patrol when he observed a dark colored SUV stopped in the roadway on US Highway 19 N, south of Tampa Road, in the northbound lanes.
Deputy Collman made a u-turn to investigate when a male subject exited the unidentified SUV and the vehicle drove away. Deputy Collman stopped and made contact with the subject walking on the east sidewalk adjacent to US Highway 19 North.
Deputy Collman identified the male subject as 29-year-old Matthew Lindley of Palm Harbor.
Lindley had been drinking and he was impaired to extent that he was a danger to himself or others. Deputy Collman tried taking Lindley into protective custody under a Marchman Act, but Lindley resisted the deputy’s efforts and a struggle ensued.
Investigators say that Lindley pulled away from Deputy Collman when he tried to place handcuffs on Lindley. Deputy Collman grabbed Lindley’s t-shirt to regain control of Lindley. Lindley broke free by pulling off his t-shirt and ran westbound into traffic on US Highway 19 N.
About that same time, a 2010 Ford Escape being driven by 82-year-old Malcolm Suttie, was traveling northbound on US Highway 19 North, approaching the Tampa Road intersection, when Lindley ran into the path of the Ford Escape and was struck by the vehicle.
Deputy Collman rendered aide to Lindley at the scene. Lindley was transported
to St. Joseph’s Hospital for life-threatening injuries.
PCSO reported that Matthew Lindley died from his injuries at about 3:30 a.m. Thursday morning.
Investigators say that Suttie showed no signs of impairment and speed was not
a factor in the crash.
Lindley had an active warrant for Failure to Appear- Possession of Drug
Paraphernalia and a Writ of Bodily Attachment for Child Support.