TAMPA -- A Hillsborough jail deputy has lost his life in a head on crash, driving home from work.
According to the Sheriff's Office and Florida Highway Patrol. Deputy Darell Brown was driving his personal pickup north on U.S. 301 early Thursday morning when for some reason it crossed over into opposing traffic and struck a tractor-trailer head on around 7:00 a.m. The force of the crash threw the tractor-trailer and the Ford F150 about three hundred feet apart, killing Brown instantly.
Hillsborough Sheriff Chad Chronister says the driver of the tractor-trailer braked to avoid the crash, jackknifing his rig. He was not hurt. Charges are not expected.
Deputy Brown, 40 years old, was on his way home from an all-night shift at the Orient Road Jail to Pasco County. Chronister says he leaves behind his wife and five children and stepchildren. Chronister says many law enforcement officers from various agencies will recognize Brown, as he was one of the people they saw when they dropped off arrestees into jail custody.
The Florida Highway Patrol will investigate the accident.
Photo: HCSO/family of Darell Brown