Deputies assigned to the Major Accident Investigation Team (M.A.I.T.) are investigating a two vehicle crash involving a Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office prisoner transport van in Clearwater.
The incident occurred at the intersection of McMullen Booth Road and Sunset Point Road in Clearwater at about 8:40 PM on Sunday, March 5, 2017.
According to investigators, 31 year-old G4S Security Officer Jesus Ortiz was driving a Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, 2009 Chevrolet van, and was stopped in the northbound left turn lane on McMullen Booth Road at the intersection of Sunset Point Road in Clearwater. Security Officer Ortiz was waiting for the red arrow traffic signal to make a left westbound turn onto Sunset Point Road.
While waiting for the traffic light to change, northbound traffic on McMullen Booth Road received a green traffic light. Ortiz proceeded through the intersection with the traffic; however, the traffic signal in his left turn lane was still red.
Investigators say that Ortiz continued making the left westbound turn through the intersection and drove into the path of a 2017 Kia Sportage that was traveling southbound in the curb lane of McMullen Booth Road. The driver of the 2017 Kia Sportage, 49-year-old Laura Chase of Oldsmar, had a green traffic light as she proceeded southbound through the intersection and struck the passenger side of the Chevrolet transport van.
Laura Chase and her 3 passengers, received non-life threatening injuries and were transported to a nearby hospital. Security Officer Ortiz received non-life threatening injuries and was transported to a nearby hospital. There were no passengers or inmates inside the prisoner transport van at the time of the crash.
Investigators say that impairment and speed were not factors in the crash.
On Wednesday, March 8, 2017, deputies assigned to the Major Accident Investigation Team (M.A.I.T.) issued, G4S Security Officer Jesus Ortiz, a civil non-criminal Uniform Traffic Citation for careless driving following the two vehicle crash.
The careless driving civil infraction carries a $166 dollar fine.
The investigation continues.