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St. Pete driver hits pulled-over deputy cruiser

Posted at 12:57 PM, May 30, 2016
and last updated 2016-05-30 13:03:52-04

Authorities in Pinellas County are investigating an overnight three-car crash early Monday that left a driver and one deputy hurt.

A Pinellas County sheriff's office release said 26-year-old Nicholas Vancuren rear-ended a deputy cruiser that was pulled over to assist with a traffic stop near Madeira Beach on Gulf Boulevard around 2 a.m. Monday morning. The force from the collision caused a "chain reaction" that hit a second cruiser, per PCSO. 

Both cruisers were reportedly pulled off to the side of the road and had their emergency lights on while performing the traffic stop.

One deputy inside the parked cruiser was hurt, but a second deputy on the sidewalk near the passenger side of the cruiser was uninjured. 

Vancuren and the deputy both went to a local hospital with injuries that PCSO described as "non life-threatening."

A written release confirmed that investigators believe impairment may have been a factor in the crash. 

The Major Accident Investigation Team members were continuing to investigate the crash as of midday Monday.

There were no indication of criminal charges for Vancuren at time of publishing. 

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