K9 Units Help Capture Hit-and-Run Driver Near Tampa

By Orlando Personal Injury Attorney on January 14, 2019

Nearing the end of December, police working with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office responded to reports of a head-on crash that took place east of the intersection of Watson Road and Bloomingdale Avenue, close to Tampa. The reports state that the incident happened close to 8:45 in the evening and involved a 23-year-old person driving a 2019 Honda Civic and a 29-year-old person driving a 1997 Dodge Dakota. Deputies stated that the Dodge was stolen at some point before the accident took place.

The 29-year-old was traveling westward down either Bloomingdale Avenue or Watson Road when, for reasons that are not entirely clear but are possibly related to alcohol, they swerved out of their lane and into the eastern bound lanes of the same road. As a result of this maneuver, the stolen Dodge Dakota suddenly began bearing down on the Civic. The driver of the Civic was not able to avoid the oncoming Dakota in time and the two cars then crashed head-on into one another.

As a result of the collision, the vehicles were completely disabled. The driver of the Dakota, apparently not interested in being present for the arrival of police, kicked the door of their car open and fled from the scene. It is not clear how the accident was reported or how the police knew where to look for the fleeing individual, but we do know that helicopters and K9 units were swiftly engaged in a pursuit of the person.

The coordinated efforts by the authorities resulted in the fleeing individual being tracked to a small wooden shed standing behind a home located along 3400 Yale Circle. At this point, one of the K9 dogs, LyCan, discovered the hiding person and pulled them from where they were crouching into the doorway where deputies were able to make the final arrest.

The person was administered several breathalyzer tests, both of which positioned him at nearly twice the legal limit. The person also told the deputies that they had stolen the Dodge.

The driver of the Civic was taken from the scene of the accident to Tampa General Hospital for treatment. It was not immediately clear what their condition was at the time they entered the hospital.

Sources:

• K9 DEPUTY CAPTURES HIT-AND-RUN DRIVER, SHERIFF SAYS

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.