CCSO deputy suffers minor injuries in three-car crash

A Collier County sheriff's deputy suffered minor injuries in a three-vehicle crash in East Naples on Monday afternoon.

Two Sheriff's Office patrol cars were heading west on Golden Gate Parkway approaching Santa Barbara Boulevard with lights and sirens activated when two other vehicles traveling north and south, respectively, on Santa Barbara crashed into one of the patrol cars, according to a Florida Highway Patrol release.

The patrol car that was struck drove behind the other patrol car, according to FHP. The patrol car involved in the crash approached a red light at Santa Barbara Boulevard and checked the intersection before crossing, the FHP report states.

Collier resident Diamela Alvarez told crash investigators she didn't see or hear the lights and sirens when she drove her Hyundai Sonata south on Santa Barbara Boulevard and crashed into the right side of the patrol car, causing it to rotate clockwise, according to FHP.

Patricio Blas Garcia, also of Collier County, told investigators the same when he drove his GMC truck north on Santa Barbara and crashed into the front right side of the patrol car, the report states.

All three vehicles came to rest facing different directions in the intersection.

Alvarez and the deputy were taken to NCH Baker Hospital Downtown with minor injuries. 

FHP cited Alvarez and Garcia for failing to yield to an emergency vehicle.