St. Petersburg police officer, driver seriously hurt in traffic crash

ST. PETERSBURG -- A St. Petersburg police officer and another driver were seriously injured in a traffic crash Monday. The crash happened at the intersection of 22nd Avenue North and 22nd Street N. in St. Petersburg just after 1:30 p.m. Monday. According to police, Officer Meri Andrews was traveling westbound on 22nd Avenue North while Marguerite Clare, 90, was driving a Lexus SUV eastbound on the same road. Clare made a northbound turn onto 22nd Street, and in the process, crossed into the path of the officer's car, police said. The front end of the officer's cruiser crashed into the right side of the Lexus SUV, police said. The cruiser spun and stopped in the curb lane just west of 22nd Street N, while the Lexus crashed into a chain link fence and several granite slabs at Depot Granite, which is located at the northwest corner of the intersection, police said. Both Clare and Andrews were taken to Bayfront Medical Center in serious condition for more information please visit: http://www.baynews9.com/article/news/2011/march/224297/St-Petersburg-police-officer-driver-seriously-hurt-in-traffic-crash