Woman crashes after fleeing traffic stop on Clearwater's Memorial Causeway

CLEARWATER — A woman fleeing from a traffic stop crashed on the Memorial Causeway and a Clearwater police officer responding as back-up was sideswiped by another driver Thursday afternoon.

According to Clearwater police, Sarah L. Thomas originally stopped when she was pulled over by a Clearwater officer around 3:45 p.m. for driving recklessly, but then took off.

Thomas, 39, tried to pass a vehicle in the grassy median and lost control of her vehicle and spun out.

"Amazingly she didn't hit anything or any other vehicles," said Clearwater police spokeswoman Elizabeth Watts.

When Thomas got out of her vehicle and came at the officer in a threatening manner, the officer used a Taser to subdue her, Watts said.

Thomas was charged with DUI, fleeing and eluding and resisting arrest. Her address was not released.

Another Clearwater officer who was responding to the call as back-up was hit broadside by another driver, Watts said.

The officer was taken to the hospital as a precautionary measure, Watts said. No other injuries were reported.