2 Firefighters Injured In Pinellas County Crash: Sheriff’s Office

SAFETY HARBOR, FL — Two Safety Harbor firefighters were injured in a Friday morning crash at Safety Harbor Fire Station 53, 3095 McMullen Booth Road, according to a Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office news release.

Deputy Steven Erickson saw an SUV broken down on McMullen Booth Road just south of State Road 580 around 8:45 a.m.

The vehicle, which was blocking the curb lane of McMullen Booth Road, was occupied by 63-year-old Malinda White.

Erickson stopped to assist White, who said her transmission was disabled, and she couldn’t get the vehicle into neutral, the sheriff’s office said. The deputy helped her get the SUV into neutral and said “he would utilize his push bumper to get the vehicle off the roadway,” the sheriff’s office said.

He told White to turn into the Chi Chi Rodriguez Driving Range, which is north of State Road 580.

After Erickson pushed the SUV north on McMullen Booth Road and disengaged as they approached the driving range’s entrance, White passed the entrance and continued north.

She abruptly turned right into the parking lot of the fire station, hitting firefighter/paramedic

Ryan Craig, 36, and Captain Joseph Hans, 50, before crashing into the station’s wall, the sheriff’s office said.

Hans was brought to a nearby hospital, where he was in stable condition. Craig sustained a minor injury and stayed at the scene of the crash.

White was also brought to the hospital in stable condition.