Release updated on 01-06-24 at 11:16 a.m.

Officers located the KIA and have the driver in custody.
Mackenzie Paige Deaton DOB 11-5-99

She is charged with serious bodily injury hit and run, tampering with evidence and citations including failure to follow the Move Over law.

Below is the bodycam video of the crash, along with a picture of the cruiser door. It illustrates the importance of moving over when there is an emergency vehicle or disabled car on the side of the road.

Luckily, this officer was not severely injured. He suffered injuries to his hand.

Body Cam video

Cruiser Door

Release posted on 01-06-24 at 5:50 a.m.

At about 1 a. m., a St. Petersburg Police Officer was conducting a traffic stop with emergency lights activated on I-375, west of 5th Avenue North entrance ramp.

As he was getting out of the police vehicle, a white Kia sedan struck the police vehicle, causing minor injury to the officer. He was transported to Bayfront Health and will be okay. No one else was injured.

The white Kia failed to stop at the scene and continued westbound. The Kia will have damage to the right side of the vehicle.

The 5th Avenue ramp was temporarily closed but is now open to traffic and the scene is clear.

If anyone has any information regarding the white Kia, please contact the police department at 727-893-7780.