Deputies assigned to the Major Accident Investigation Team are investigating a deputy involved crash that occurred in unincorporated Pinellas Park.
The crash occurred at about 3:08 a.m. on Thursday, March 14, 2019 at 126th Avenue North and 66th Street North in unincorporated Pinellas Park.
Investigators say, Deputy Ferguson was off-duty, having finished his shift, and traveling northbound on 66th Street North, in the middle lane, approaching the intersection at 126nd Avenue North. Deputy Ferguson was driving a marked PCSO Chevrolet Tahoe.
Investigators report, 74-year-old Richard Peterson was also traveling northbound on 66th Street North, in a 2018 Chevy Equinox, in the median lane, approaching the intersection at 126th Avenue North.
Both Deputy Ferguson and Peterson came to a stop at the red light at the intersection of 66th Street North and 126th Avenue North.
According to investigators, 28-year-old Brittney Hunter of Largo was driving her 2002 Buick LaSabre southbound in the northbound lanes of 66th Street North, approaching the stopped vehicles facing northbound at 126th Avenue North intersection. Hunter crossed the intersection and struck Peterson’s vehicle head-on, which pushed Peterson’s vehicle into Deputy Ferguson’s agency vehicle and rolled Peterson’s vehicle onto the driver’s side.
Paramedics responded to the scene and transported Hunter to a local hospital for life-threatening injuries, where she was later pronounced deceased.
Deputy Ferguson and Peterson were also transported to a local hospital for minor injuries. Both have been released.
Impairment does appear to be a factor in the crash.
Next of kin has been notified.Â
