Who:

Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office

Patrol Operations Bureau

-Major Accident Investigation Team

Necia Austin (Injured Driver – G4S Employee)

Vehicle: 2009 Chevy Express – Sheriff’s Office Transport Van

Djordje Bancu (Uninjured Driver – Arrested)

DOB: 6/4/1955

Address: 11692 83rd Avenue North, Seminole

Vehicle: 1992 Ford F-150

Charges: Driving Under the Influence

What:

Deputies assigned to the Major Accident Investigation Team (M.A.I.T.) are investigating a crash involving a Sheriff’s Office transport van.

When:

The crash occurred at approximately 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, January 12, 2016.

Where:

The crash occurred in the area of Bryan Dairy Road and US 19 in Pinellas Park.

Why/How:

Deputies assigned to the Major Accident Investigation Team (M.A.I.T.) are investigating a crash involving a Sheriff’s Office transport van.

According to investigators, at approximately 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, January 12, 2016, G4S Driver Necia Austin was stopped in a Sheriff’s Office transport van in the eastbound lanes of Bryan Dairy Road at US 19 at a red light. The driver of a 1992 Ford F-150 was approaching the van from the rear when the driver’s foot slipped from the brake pedal, causing him to roll into the rear of the van.

There were no prisoners in the transport van at the time of the crash.

The driver of the transport van was transported to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

The driver of the F-150, identified as 60-year-old Djordje Bancu was not injured in the crash.

During the investigation, Bancu showed signs of impairment from an unknown substance. A DUI investigation was conducted and Bancu was arrested and charged with Driving Under the Influence.

Bancu was transported to the Pinellas County Jail without further incident.

The investigation continues.