PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office released new details Friday about the man accused of hitting and killing a Pinellas County Deputy in the Northern portion of the county Wednesday.
Investigators say the suspect, 33-year-old Robert Holzaepfel, had a blood alcohol level of .23 when he crashed his truck into Deputy Michael Magli after driving recklessly on East Lake Road, which is nearly three times the legal limit.
Magli was putting out stop sticks, a tire deflation device, when he was hit by the suspect in a pickup truck.
The new details emerge as the Pasco and Pinellas County communities step up to raise money for the 30-year-old deputy’s family.
Just a five-minute drive from the crash scene on East Lake Road near Forelock Road, is Vetture’s Pizza, where Deputy Magli was a regular customer.
Corey Maida, an employee at Vetture’s Pizzeria says everyone is taking the loss hard. However, they’ve decided to give back by selling $5 raffle tickets that customers can use to win a $100 restaurant gift card. They’re also donating 20% of their sales on Saturday to Magli’s family.
“With a case like this you want to help out as much as possible. They’re always out here looking out for us so it’s the least we can do and it’s really nice to see everybody reach out and come together like this,” Maida said.
A handful of businesses in Pinellas and Pasco Counties are making sure his heroism doesn’t go unnoticed by donating proceeds from sales tonight and this weekend to his family.
Eric Bush at Sam’s New York Pizza in New Port Richey says they’ve decided to donate 10% of their sales from tonight through the weekend to Magli’s wife and two young daughters.
“These guys risk their lives every day and I just want to say thank you. If this is one way we can show the family we support them and are with them, I’m happy to do that,” he added.
Apps and Tapps on East Lake are donating 15% of their sales all day Friday to Magli’s family.
“This is a tight-knit community. We all just want to try to help each other so it’s tugged at hearts. I know it’s a little thing but we all need to do whatever we possibly can,” said restaurant manager Michael Mills.
Despite restaurants dealing with losses from COVID-19, business owners and customers are opening up their hearts and wallets.
Barbara Oberdorf, a customer of Sam’s Pizza was happy to help.
“I’m very sad about what happened. I’m glad to be able to contribute and help the family,” she elaborated.
The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office has also set up a community fund for Deputy Magli. You can visit any SunTrust Bank location in Tampa Bay to contribute.
Detectives are requesting the public's assistance with locating anyone with damage to their vehicle as result of the crashes at East Lake Road North of Forelock Road or at Keystone Road and Woodfield Boulevard on February 17, 2021. These crashes would have occurred between 4:15 P.M. And 4:45 P.M., according to investigators.
Detectives are also looking for any cell phone, dash camera or surveillance video from the area.
If you have any information, you’re urged to call Detective Syers at (727) 582-6215 or e-mail him at Jsyersjr@pcsonet.com as soon as possible.
