Pinellas deputy killed in overnight hit-and-run crash

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — UPDATE: The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office has announced the suspect in the hit-and-run death of a deputy has been taken into custody. The suspect was taken into custody after an eight-hour search in the Ulmerton Road and I-275 area.

EARLIER STORY: A Pinellas County deputy was killed overnight in a hit-and-run crash at a construction site on Interstate 275 near Roosevelt Boulevard.

According to Pinellas Sheriff Bob Gualtieri, Deputy Michael Hartwick, 51, was killed when he was struck by a front-end loader being driven by a construction worker just after 10:30 pm Thursday night.

The crash happened in the southbound lanes of I-275 in the construction area near the Howard Frankland Bridge. Hartwick, a 19-year veteran of the agency, was working on an overnight construction security assignment.

Gualtieri said a suspect, identified as Victor Vasquez-Real, was sought after fleeing the scene after the crash.

The sheriff said Vasquez-Real, 35, drove to a parking area after hitting Hartwick, parked the front-end loader and then took off his helmet and vest. Gualtieri added that Vasquez handed his gear to another worker, said he had just “killed a deputy” and left the scene.

“Deputy Hartwick was doing what cops do every day,” Gualtieri said. “He was out doing his job. He was on his assigned post, he was trying to protect the scene out there for the construction workers.

Vasquez is facing 2nd degree felony charges of leaving the scene of an accident with death.

A heavy law enforcement presence was in the area for several hours, using K-9s, ATV vehicles and helicopters. More than 100 deputies created a perimeter in the area.

As a result of the crash, I-275 remains closed in both directions at Roosevelt. Traffic was snarled across the area throughout the overnight hours and into late morning Friday.

Southbound I-275 traffic will be diverted onto Ulmerton Road. Northbound I-275 traffic will be diverted onto Gandy Blvd. Expect traffic delays until midday.

St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch issued the following statement on Friday morning:

“I’m deeply saddened to learn of the passing of PCSO Deputy Michael Hardwick. These men and women put their lives on the line day in and day out and it’s imperative to us avoid avoidable accidents that caused this tragedy. Our entire St. Pete family sends our love and prayers to Deputy Hardwick’s friends and family may your PCSO family remain strong and protected.”

This is a developing story and more information will be provided as it becomes available.

SUSPECT AT LARGE// This is 35-year-old Victor Vazquez-Real. He is believed to be the construction worker who killed @SheriffPinellas Dep. Michael Hartwick in a crash late last night.

Believed to live on Columbus Dr in Tampa. He ran away from the scene. Call PCSO with info @BN9 pic.twitter.com/sBzwkad1Wq

— Angie Angers (@angie_angers) September 23, 2022

It is with extraordinary sadness that we announce that Deputy Michael Hartwick was killed in the line of duty late Thursday evening as a result of a hit and run crash on I-275 in St. Petersburg. The suspect is still at large. pic.twitter.com/o5TcR5t7bo

— Pinellas SO (@SheriffPinellas) September 23, 2022

I just watched as deputies pulling ATVs turned down a closed down stretch of Roosevelt Blvd.

The suspect who @SheriffPinellas believes was involved in the hit-and-run crash that took a deputy’s life is still at large. He took off after the incident @BN9 pic.twitter.com/YFwziP4iA3

— Angie Angers (@angie_angers) September 23, 2022

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2022-09-23 14:33:00

www.baynews9.com

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