Deputy's Cruiser Hits Vehicle Driven by Teenager

A Pinellas County deputy responding to an emergency call for service after midnight struck a vehicle with his marked cruiser, injuring the driver.

Accident investigators from the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office said that the crash occurred at 12:37 a.m., Monday, June 10, at the intersection of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Street North and 4th Avenue North in Safety Harbor.

According to investigators, Deputy Nicholas Forgione was driving his marked patrol car north on 4th Avenue North, with the emergency lights activated.

As he drove through the intersection of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Street, the front passenger side of his marked cruiser struck the front driver side of a Ford Explorer traveling west on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Street.

The driver of the Ford Explorer, 18-year-old Jade Palanjay of Seminole, was transported to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

The three passengers of the Ford Explorer were not injured in the crash. The passengers are identified as:

• Julia Winsser, 16, of Tierra Vierde
• Moriah Dennington, 17, of Largo
• Taylor Arbitton, 17, of Pinellas Park.

Neither alcohol nor drugs appears to be a factor in the crash. The investigation continues.

Deputy Forgione, who has been with the department since 2012, was not injured either.

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