Hillsborough County deputy, father of 5, dies in crash with semi in Thonotosassa

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — A Hillsborough County deputy was killed in a crash on US-301 in Thonotosassa on Thursday.

A Ford F-150 collided with a flatbed trailer, killing the deputy. The other driver suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

In a press conference, Sheriff Chad Chronister said Deputy Darell Brown, 40, was heading to his Pasco County home from his overnight shift.

Brown worked in the booking facility at the Orient Road Jail. On his way home, he crossed into the oncoming lane of traffic in front of a semi-truck.

“The energy of this truck striking our deputy’s personal vehicle almost head-on propelled him in a circular motion,” Chronister said.

He said that the truck attempted to stop and ended up jack-knifed from slamming on the brakes. The deputy’s vehicle landed nearly 100 yards away from the tractor-trailer.

The deputy was instantly killed. The driver of the truck did not sustain any injuries.

Brown was a husband and a father of five. He had worked with the sheriff’s office for nearly a decade. His father also works as a crossing guard.

“It was Deputy Brown who was always there to lend a helping hand,” Sheriff Chronister said of the fallen deputy.

“As a family, we mourn with our brothers and sisters of the sheriff’s office,” State Attorney Suzy Lopez said in the press conference.

It remained unclear what led up to the deputy driving into oncoming traffic.

US-301 was shut down in both directions due to the crash. The road reopened on Thursday afternoon.

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