Crime & Safety
Motorcycle Crashes into Deputy’s Car
The April 27 accident in Palm Harbor left a Tarpon Springs man in serious condition and sent the deputy to the hospital, as well.
A Tarpon Springs man and a Pinellas County Sheriff’s deputy both landed in the hospital following an early morning crash in Palm Harbor, April 27.
The accident happened as Pinellas County Sheriff’s Deputy Travis Sibley was driving an unmarked patrol car southbound on Alternate U.S. 19 around 12:09 a.m. near Georgia Avenue. Martin L. McFadden, 23, was also heading southbound on a 2001 Honda motorcycle, according to a sheriff’s office media release.
When Sibley slowed to make a U-turn, McFadden, who was right behind him, attempted to pass the deputy by driving in the center turn lane of the two-lane road, the release said. McFadden ended up striking Sibley’s car on the driver’s side rear quarter panel, deputies say.
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McFadden, who was wearing a helmet, was ejected from his motorcycle. He was taken to a local hospital with non-threatening, but serious injuries. Sibley was also hospitalized with non-threatening injuries.
“Alcohol does appear to be a factor in this case,” the sheriff’s office said in the release.
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The investigation into the crash continues and charges are pending.
Sibley has been a Pinellas County deputy since October 2011.
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