Prisoner Injured in Transport Van Crash

PINELLAS PARK, FL — The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a Monday night crash involving one of its own prisoner transport vans.

According to the agency, G4S security officer Eric Lawson, was driving a sheriff’s office van around 9:30 p.m. Oct. 11. Luis Santiago, 39, of St. Petersburg was being transported to the Pinellas County Jail at that time.

Deputies say Lawson was stopped at a red light at 49th Street North’s intersection with 62nd Avenue North in the center northbound lane. At that time, a 2014 Toyota Tundra driven by Windell Green, 40, of St. Petersburg was pulled up behind the van.

When the light turned green, deputies say the Tundra accelerated and struck the transport van in the back.

Santiago was handcuffed in the back of the van at the time, an email from the sheriff’s office said. He suffered non-life threatening injuries in the crash and was taken to Bayfront Medical Center for treatment. Green and Lawson were not injured, the email said.

Investigators say both vehicles suffered minor damage. Impairment is not believed to be a factor in the crash.

Santiago was being taken to the Pinellas County Jail after an arrest on domestic battery and violation of probation charges, the email noted.

No further information is available at this time.

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