Monitor Editor
STARKE— A crash involving a Bradford sheriff’s deputy and another vehicle within the City of Starke resulted in minor injuries on Monday, Nov. 22.
Col. Brad Smith of the sheriff’s office said Cpl. Jared Mallard was driving a marked F-150 southbound on U.S. 301 with lights and sirens activated around 7 p.m.
Smith said Mallard had been dispatched to Riverbend Estates in the Graham area after another deputy who had been investigating a suspicious person call failed to respond to his radio.
Mallard was in the outside lane, and as he approached a small, white compact, the white vehicle changed to the inside lane.
Smith said just before Mallard passed the compact, the car changed lanes again, forcing Mallard to take evasive action. The F-150 struck the back, left corner of the car, which then crashed into 205 N. Temple Ave., occupied by Grooming by Sister.
Both drivers were transported to Starke ER with minor injuries and later released. The building sustained minor damage.
After the crash, the deputy in Riverbend Estates contacted the sheriff’s office. Smith blamed the communications failure on poor radio connectivity in the Graham area.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the collision and has not yet issued a report, according to Smith.
