CLEARWATER, Fla. — A driver has been charged with DUI after causing a multi-vehicle crash in Clearwater involving Pinellas County deputies.
- Woman charged with DUI in chain reaction crash
- Crash involved 4 vehicles including a deputy vehicle
- 3 people transported with minor injuries
Darcey Phillips was subsequently arrested for two counts of DUI with injury and two counts of DUI with property damage after the crash Tuesday afternoon.
According to a preliminary crash report, Phillips was driving her 2003 Chevrolet van south on Keene Road shortly before 3 p.m. when she crashed into a 1999 Mercedes 4-door, driven by 72-year-old Wesley Sanders, who had reduced his speed for heavy traffic, officials said.
The impact caused Sanders' Mercedes to hit the back of a 2000 Chevrolet pick-up, driven by 40-year-old Jzon Livington Sr. That crash caused Sanders' vehicle to turn sideways, which was struck again by Phillips' van on the passenger side.
That resulted in Phillips' van hitting a Pinellas County Sheriff's Office unmarked 2013 Dodge 4-door, driven by Detective Orlowski and occupied by Detective Szeliga.
The van then swerved back into the left lane, where it struck Livington's pick-up, which was intitially hit by Sanders' Mercedes.
Sanders and both Pinellas detectives were transported to a local hospital for minor injuries.
Authorities said Phillips showed signs of impairment and performed poorly during field sobriety tests. She was arrested and transported to the Pinellas County jail without incident.
The crash remains under investigation.
(Courtesy of the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office)