By Danny Valentine, Times Staff Writer
Friday, November 26, 2010
ST. PETERSBURG — A Pinellas County Sheriff's deputy was involved in a shooting of a driver who tried to hit him during a traffic stop Friday, according to authorities.
The incident happened shortly after noon near a Mobil gas station at Fourth Street N and 83rd Avenue, where the deputy attempted to pull over the driver of a Ford Explorer. Witnesses saw the driver speed off and turn down an alley.
Officials say the driver tried to pull back onto Fourth Street, nearly hitting the pursuing deputy. The deputy fired three rounds into the Explorer, hitting the driver.
The driver was transported to a hospital, and his condition is unknown at this time. The black SUV he was driving, which now has two bullet holes in the front windshield, is still at the scene. A piece of cardboard covered up the license plate.
Authorities are at the scene conducting an investigation will share more information as it becomes available.