Pinellas Deputy Hits, Kills Pedestrian In Largo

LARGO, FL — Pinellas County sheriff's deputies are investigating a fatal pedestrian crash involving a deputy in Largo.

According to investigators, on Wednesday, Jan. 6, at 9:02 p.m., Pinellas County Sheriff's K-9 Deputy Alexander Edge, 29, was responding to a call about suspects fleeing on foot from a stolen vehicle.

He was driving his fully marked 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe with his emergency lights activated west on Ulmerton Road, just west of U.S. 19, approaching an area where he believed the suspects were last seen. As Edge was coming to a stop, another deputy notified him on the radio that the suspects were running in another direction behind Edge's current location and in front of 6363 Ulmerton Road.

Investigators say Edge stopped on Ulmerton Road, saw no vehicles behind him, and immediately placed his vehicle in reverse. With his emergency lights still activated, Edge began backing up east in the westbound lane of Ulmerton Road and struck a pedestrian in the road with the driver's side rear bumper.

The investigation determined that the pedestrian, 59-year-old Barry Fick, purchased items from the 7-Eleven store at 6333 Ulmerton Road and walked across the store parking lot to Ulmerton Road. He stopped at the edge of the road as Edge drove past. Immediately after Edge slowed down, Fick walked into the roadway behind Edge's cruiser before the backup camera or audible backup alert system could activate. Edge did not see Fick in his mirrors.

Fick sustained life-threatening injuries and was transported to Bayfront Health in St. Petersburg where he died at 8:34 a.m. Thursday. The investigation revealed that alcohol may have been a factor in the crash.

Edge and his K-9 partner were not injured. Edge was hired by the sheriff's office in July 2013.