Four hurt in Sarasota police car collision
By LATISHA R. GRAY



latisha.gray@heraldtribune.com

SARASOTA -- A Lakewood Ranch couple was flown to Bayfront Medical Center in St. Petersburg on Tuesday after a crash involving a police patrol car.

The crash happened at the intersection of U.S. 301 and 17th Street shortly before 5 p.m.

Authorities said officers Eric Bass and John Neri were driving south on U.S. 301, responding to a call on Fruitville Road. It is unclear if their emergency lights were activated.

A couple in a gray Toyota Camry attempted to make a left onto 17th Street and turned directly into the path of the oncoming patrol car, said Sarasota Police Chief Peter Abbott.

Abbott said the husband and wife appeared to be in their 60s, but authorities did not release their names pending notification of their families.

The impact of the crash caused the patrol car to hit another car at the 17th Street stoplight. That driver, 71-year-old John Martin, of Boca Grande, appeared to be uninjured.

The officers were taken to Sarasota Memorial Hospital and treated for minor injuries.

Authorities cut the roof off the Camry to take the couple out.

Police blocked traffic for at least three hours in both directions along U.S. 301 between 17th and 12th streets.

The crash is under investigation.