CLEARWATER, Fla. – Clearwater Police arrested a Largo man after his pickup truck slammed into a police cruiser stopped to assist a disabled vehicle on the Courtney Campbell Causeway late Thursday night.
Jerry Sandefur Jr., 44, was charged with multiple criminal offenses, including DUI, DUI with property damage, possession of marijuana, and violation of probation. He admitted to smoking marijuana, consuming alcohol, and taking pain medications before the crash, according to police.
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The crash occurred around 11 p.m. as a Clearwater Police officer had pulled over to assist a disabled vehicle. The officer’s cruiser, with emergency lights activated, was struck from behind by Sandefur’s truck.
Florida law requires drivers to move over or slow down for stopped emergency vehicles, but Sandefur failed to comply. The collision ultimately involved four vehicles.
The police officer was transported to a local hospital, treated for injuries, and released. None of the occupants in the other vehicles sustained serious injuries.
“Our officer or any of the other people in the other vehicles could have been killed or seriously injured as a result of this man’s egregious driving behavior,” said Police Chief Eric Gandy. “There are so many red flags here – failing to move over or slow down, not to mention drinking and driving, as well as smoking marijuana and mixing in pain pills.”
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Chief Gandy emphasized the importance of Florida’s Move Over law, which requires drivers to shift lanes or reduce speed for stopped law enforcement, emergency vehicles, or any disabled vehicle displaying warning lights.
“The law is simple: Move over, slow down,” Gandy added. “We’ve seen far too many incidents where lives were put at risk due to drivers ignoring this law.”
Sandefur was first treated at a local hospital before being booked into the Pinellas County Jail. The investigation is ongoing, and additional charges may follow.
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