RSSCustomer Injured After Car Crashes Into Hillsborough County Gas Station
Authorities with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office are currently trying to determine the motives of a man whom they believe intentionally drove through the storefront of a local gas station and slammed into a patron shortly after midnight on Tuesday.
According to responding officials with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, it was approximately 12:30 a.m. on June 20, 2023, when 37-year-old Floral City resident Anthony Katosh was driving a Kia Forte at a high rate of speed near the Travel Centers of America at 11706 Tampa Gateway Boulevard in Seffner. At this same time, a yet-to-be publicly-identified man was walking through the entrance to the gas station and was struck by the speeding vehicle. He was trapped between the driver’s door and a mangled piece of metal framework.
The impact from the auto accident sent crash debris, broken glass, and product displays flying throughout the interior of the convenience store while employees and other customers tried to frantically escape the car’s collision course.
Crews with the Hillsborough County Fire Rescue and the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to the scene of the accident and successfully removed the injured pedestrian from the wreckage. Both he and the driver of the Kia Forte were transported to Tampa General Hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.
After further investigations, detectives with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office determined that the collision was not an accident and arrested 37-year-old Anthony Katosh for criminal mischief of $1000 or more.
“The footage of the car smashing through this business and straight into a victim is jarring, to say the least. It is an absolute miracle that the person pinned by the car did not sustain more serious injuries, and we’re glad to hear he will be ok,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister.
Although it may bring some sense of closure to the injured pedestrian involved in this accident, the driver’s intentions in the situation may be irrelevant and of no concern to the victim. Depending on the severity of the injuries, they will still face weeks, if not months, of lost wages from missed work, intense physical therapies & rehab sessions, as well as the mental anguish & stress of being struck by a vehicle in the first place.
Here at the Law Offices of James O. Cunningham, P.A., we have been fighting for the rights of Florida auto accident victims since 1977. To schedule a free 30-minute case evaluation, please submit a contact form or call our office directly at 877-FL-INJURY.
James O. Cunningham
Since 1977, personal injury lawyer James Cunningham has provided effective legal advocacy to people who are injured through the negligent actions of another person or entity throughout the Central Florida area. He fights to obtain recoveries for his clients’ physical and emotional pain and suffering and pursues his clients’ personal injury cases with a commitment to excellence and impeccable preparation.
Mr. Cunningham is an excellent and knowledgeable attorney.