Chief of Police
St. Petersburg, FL 33705
(727) 893-7550
police.stpete.org
NEWS RELEASE
Report number: 2024-
Hit and Run Involving a Police Officer
Release updated on 05/01/2025 at 9:50 AM
Driver Pleads Guilty in 2024 Hit-and-Run Case Involving Police Officer
On April 30th, 2025, Mackenzie Deaton (25yo) pled guilty to leaving the scene of a crash involving serious bodily injury and the Move Over Act.
At about 1 a.m. on January 6th, 2024, 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 sedan struck the police vehicle and injured the officer. The white Kia failed to stop and fled the scene.
Deaton was later arrested and charged with leaving the scene of a crash involving serious bodily injury and tampering with evidence. She was also cited for failure to follow the Move Over law.
The Move Over Law aims to protect emergency responders, disabled vehicles, and utility workers. When approaching any of these on the roadside, drivers must move over one lane if it's safe to do so. If changing lanes isn't possible, they must reduce their speed by at least 20 mph below the posted speed limit.
Police Cruiser
Release updated on 01-06-24 at 11:16 a.m.
Officers located the KIA and have the driver in custody.
Mackenzie Paige Deaton
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.
St. Petersburg Police Media Relations - (727) 893-7550
YOLANDA FERNANDEZ - Public Information Officer