Safety Harbor, FL – Multiple first responders were dispatched to a crash involving a red Cadillac XT5 that struck a fire station on Friday, December 6, 2024. The incident occurred at approximately 8:53 a.m. at Fire Station #53, located at 3095 McMullen Booth Road.
Two firefighters were injured in the crash. They were performing their daily duties on the front driveway of Fire Station #53.
Firefighter/ Paramedic Ryan Craig, age 36, sustained minor injuries, while Captain Joesph Hans, age 50, was flown by Aeromed to Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital in St. Petersburg with injuries that, while unspecified, appear to be non-life-threatening.
The driver of the vehicle, 63-year-old Malinda White, was also transported to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
According to investigators, Deputy Steven Erickson observed a disabled Cadillac XT5 on McMullen Booth Road, just south of State Road 580. The vehicle, which was blocking the curb lane of McMullen Booth Road, was occupied by Malinda White. Deputy Erickson stopped to assist White, who stated her transmission was disabled, and she could not get the vehicle into neutral. Investigators say Deputy Erickson assisted White with getting the vehicle into neutral and advised her that he would utilize his push bumper to get the vehicle off the roadway. White was instructed to turn into the Chi Chi Rodriguez Driving Range, north of State Road 580.
Investigators advise that Deputy Erickson began pushing the Cadillac with his push bumper northbound on McMullen Booth Road and disengaged as they approached the Chi Chi Rodriguez Driving Range entrance. White did not turn into the driving range and passed the entrance, continuing northbound. Investigators say White abruptly turned right into the parking lot of Safety Harbor Fire Station 53, striking Firefighter/Paramedic Ryan Craig and Captain Joseph Hans before hitting the wall of the fire station. Note: the distance from the driving range to the fire station is over 1200 ft.