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Shooting suspect crashes car during pursuit by Pinellas sheriff's deputies

 
Published Aug. 3, 2015

TARPON SPRINGS — A suspect in a shooting suffered life-threatening injuries after she crashed the car she was driving into a concrete barrier as sheriff's deputies gave chase Sunday, authorities said.

Early Sunday morning, Pinellas County sheriff's deputies got information that a driver, Brittney Dinkins, was a suspect in a 6 a.m. Clearwater shooting. With roads wet from rain, Clearwater police had called off a pursuit and alerted other agencies.

After getting the description of her car, sheriff's deputies spotted it at East Lake Road and Boot Ranch Boulevard just before 7 a.m.

Because Dinkins, 26, was wanted for a violent felony offense, and to remain consistent with Sheriff's Office policy, deputies initiated pursuit, according to a news release.

Dinkins was heading north on East Lake Road "at a high rate of speed" when she lost control and hit the barrier near Keystone Road in Tarpon Springs, investigators said.

Her car caught fire.

Emergency rescue workers and deputies removed Dinkins and her passenger, 22-year-old Devetrius Jones, from the car.

She was airlifted to St. Joseph's Hospital, and Jones was taken to Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point.

Clearwater police said they responded to several calls reporting shots fired near N Lincoln Avenue about 6 a.m. They interviewed a victim, who said Dinkins had shot up her apartment while three people were inside. Dinkins was driving a Buick Verano, the victim told police.

At the apartment, officers found rounds that had been fired through the window as well as 9mm and .22-caliber shell casings outside.

Soon, as officers approached an address associated with Dinkins, they saw a Buick Verano. It drove away, and officers chased after it.

The Buick continued east "in a reckless manner," and officers eventually called off the pursuit.