Police: Car Fleeing Pinellas Drug Sting Causes Fatal Crash

[NewsHound]

Two men driving away from police Thursday night ran a red light at U.S. 19 and 70th Avenue North in Pinellas Park and collided with a Ford Taurus, killing the driver and injuring four passengers, including three children, authorities said.

Nachenga E. Robinson, 32, of Florence, S.C., died at the scene, police said.

An adult passenger and the children, ages 8, 9 and 12, were taken to local hospitals. Their names and conditions were not immediately available.

Traffic on U.S. 19 between Haines Road and Park Boulevard was shut down in both directions as authorities investigated the crash, which happened about 8:54 p.m.

The men fled the crash on foot but were arrested, Capt. Sanfield Forseth said.

Police identified them late Thursday as Rashane DeAngelo Barber, 21, and Devonta Thornton Merriex, 20, both of St. Petersburg.

Detectives were conducting an undercover drug operation near a Target store at 7200 U.S. 19, Forseth said. Barber and Merriex drove away in a white Monte Carlo after selling crack cocaine to undercover officers, Forseth said.

Police tried to block them in the parking lot but failed. A few minutes later, Barber and Merriex's car struck the Ford Taurus, Forseth said.

Barber has an outstanding arrest warrant, police said.


Source (http://www2.tbo.com/content/2008/jul/10/driver-killed-car-was-fleeing-police/?news-breaking)

And?

Great job boys (keystone cops)

Thanks for the info! I didn't know! You are real informative! If you want real news go to PCSO where they are losing their jobs.

Nice Narcotics division. PCSO is the ONLY quality Narcotics Divison in Pinellas County.

Let them vent. They can call us keystone cops all they want. They themselves had a pursuit wind its way through the city yesterday that resulted in a crash and no catch. Of course they will not mention that.

The reality, they had a terrible week with their layoffs and the fact that more are to come has them a little testy. We can all rest easy with our jobs secure as they worry about what and how deep the cuts will be.

Sucks to be a deputy.

At least we get to be keystone cops....they have 25 deputies who don't get to be cops in Pinellas anymore and from what I hear, another round soon to follow and more next year.

I am all broken up inside....no really, I am....

IF the quality of deputy they are losing is represented by the idiots that come on other forums boards and start childish name calling and arguments...as shown by the "keystone cops" comment....good riddance.

For the mature deputies that realize that we all do the same job and make the same mistakes...good luck over there.

please use the internet what it is intended for, "PORN"


stop all of this BS

thats funny lol...as far as lay offs at pcso yeah they are still occurring..probally 45 to 50 patrol hacks total...none are expected next year so things should stabalize..its a different environment over here but shit will get better..we all od the same job somewhat..

it's not a deputy posting. it's an idiot

wow, did you read the PCSO page, everyone is unhappy & angry about what is going on!

We would be up in arms also.

Yeah like your agency has no issues at all, explorer, swat just to name a few

Jesus Christ issues? What the hell are you talking about? THE DEPUTIES ARE LOSING THEIR JOBS YOU MORON AND YOU MIGHT BE NEXT IF YOU REALLY WORK THERE! which I doubt cause you would be job hunting instead of being here!

They have had their share of screwed drug cases at the SO, don't you know? it happens

Baliff's are not sworn deputies? Hmm...thought they were.

You better go back and do your math. 22 Road Deputies. 3 Baliff's = 25.

You just worry about keeping your department together their sport and we will worry about ours.

I will take my Rinky Dink department over your mess any day of the week.

Hey, but thanks for coming on here and giving us your mind. Oh by the way, we appreciate your sentiments towards our officer who suffered serious injuries today after being hit by a vehicle. I am sure you meant to say but just forgot in the heat of your rant.

You sir are a sorry excuse for a leo.

many, many times pcso narcs mad bad mistakes that were headline news. You sem really hurt!