PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. – Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office Major Accident Investigation Team is investigating a two-vehicle crash involving an ambulance with life-threatening injuries in Largo.
According to deputies, on May 18, 2024, at approximately 2:48 a.m., deputies assigned to the Major Accident Investigation Team responded to the area of East Bay Drive and North Missouri Avenue to investigate a two-vehicle crash involving an ambulance with life-threatening injuries.
According to investigators, at approximately 2:44 a.m., deputies attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a 2014 BMW X1 for a traffic violation near Ridge Road and Ulmerton Road.
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The driver, 41-year-old Willie Lee Daniels, initially stopped for deputies but quickly conducted a U-turn and fled the traffic stop at a high rate of speed.
Daniels fled, traveling north on Seminole Boulevard from Ulmerton Road. The deputy did not pursue Daniels, he deactivated his lights and sirens, and resumed normal driving.
Investigators state a 2014 Ford E350 Med Fleet Ambulance, driven by 25-year-old Derrick Gil, was traveling westbound on East Bay Drive, east of North Missouri Avenue.
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In the rear of the ambulance was a 70-year-old patient who was being treated by 28-year-old Medic Ashley Markel.
Investigators advise the ambulance was traveling at approximately 35 MPH when it entered the intersection of East Bay Drive and North Missouri Avenue with a solid green traffic signal.
Daniels, traveling north on Seminole Boulevard, entered the intersection, striking the ambulance at a high speed, causing it to rotate and turn on its side.
Gil, the driver of the ambulance, was transported to the hospital with life-threatening injuries.
Markel, Daniels, and the patient in the ambulance were transported to the hospital with serious, non-life-threatening injuries.
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Criminal charges are pending.
According to investigators, speed and impairment of Daniels appear to be factors in the crash.
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