Featured Image Credit: Credit: Fox 13
Topics: US News
Cameron Frew
A sheriff's deputy in Florida accidentally ran over a sunbather while driving on the beach.
Even on UK beaches when it's particularly sunny, with folks out enjoying the heat and likely having a couple of cans, local police sometimes descend onto the beach to patrol up and down the coastline.
However, for one woman in Florida, her relaxing trip to the beach went haywire after a police SUV drove over her as she caught a few rays.
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Robin Elaine Diffenderfer, 23, was sunbathing on St. Pete Beach in Tampa at around 1pm last Wednesday, 4 May.
Meanwhile, Pinellas County Deputy Todd Brien was on patrol on the same beach and chatting to pedestrians, when he received a 911 call.
Brien, who was driving a fully marked 2017 Chevrolet Tahoe, had been dispatched to a different location.
In a statement, department officials explained: "Deputy Brien made a right turn from his parked position, when he struck [Diffenderfer] while she was lying on her back in the sand.
"According to investigators, the front driver side tire of the Tahoe drove over Diffenderfer’s right side and mid to upper back area."
Diffenderfer sustained non-life threatening injuries in the incident, and was transported to the hospital. The deputy wasn't injured.
Pinellas County's Major Accident Investigation Team are now conducting a deputy-involved crash investigation into the incident.
No charges have been filed against Brien at the time of writing, nor is there any indication of any disciplinary action he may face as a result.
The department shared its details of the incident to social media, where it was met with criticism by locals.
One user wrote: "Large vehicles like that should not be on the beach. Get a 4wheeler or a gator. About a month ago I was walking on the beach and a cop came within inches of hitting me. He didn’t even slow down."
Another commented: "Completely reckless to be driving large, enclosed vehicles on the beach. Atvs are utilised for patrol by our local leo, and that should be standard. I hope there is a policy change in the works."
Others have supported the police, with one writing: "You can tell all the police haters by the comments. It was an accident. Accidents happen. How about you not all make assumptions. Let them investigate and do their job."
Another wrote: "We all make mistakes and we learn from them. So you people please need to stop with all these negative comments. I am praying for both the deputy and the young lady."
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