ST. PETERSBURG -- A police
officer who wrecked his squad car in March while trying to catch up to a
pursuit has been suspended for five days. Timothy
Reyes, 29, was driving at 110 mph in a 40-mph zone, according to a
memorandum released Wednesday by the St. Petersburg Police Department.
Reyes' suspension was based
in part on his prior disciplinary history. He had been involved in another
crash Sept. 26, 2011. Any disciplinary action within an 18-month period is
taken into consideration when an officer is punished for violating department
procedures.
The more recent incident
occurred March 24. Reyes was attempting to catch up to a pursuit when a vehicle
pulled in front of him along 54th Avenue South, forcing his squad car off the
road, investigators said.
Reyes neglected to use
"due care" while driving and has to undergo remedial training.
The damage to the squad car
and other property was worth $30,754, the memorandum said.