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Recent Posts in hit and run Category

October 11, 2010

Pinellas Traffic Blog – Suspect In Hit And Run In Pinellas Park Still On The Loose After Leaving The Scene

Posted By 1 800 FIGHT IT

Pinellas County Lawyer

A young woman who was the victim of a hit and run in Pinellas Park hung onto the roof of the car that hit her for about a half a mile after it was leaving the scene of the accident according to police reports. Karri Elizabeth Bush was crossing 86th Avenue in Pinellas Park Sunday night on her bicycle when she hit by what she described as a Toyota SUV.

The 20-year-old Bush landed on top of the Toyota that hit her and held on for dear life for approximately a half-mile. The driver fled on 49th Street after hitting the bicyclist. The driver apparently was being followed after leaving the scene of the accident by a witness. After realizing that, the driver made a hard U-Turn that threw Bush off the roof of the SUV. Bush was taken to the hospital and had a broken leg. Bayfront Medical Center staff described Bush’s condition as stable.

Police are now trying to track down the driver of the Toyota, which they believe would have serious front-end damage and a possible broken windshield. Officer Michael Piacenza is the point of contact for anyone with information on the hit and run. His contact number is (727) 541-0758. Police have a portion of the grill from the Toyota SUV and they are now visiting local area dealerships to try and match the grill to a car.

Bush was recently married and news of the accident was broken to the girl’s mother by a Tampa Tribune reporter who called for a quote about the car crash. Bush and her husband lived with family in Pinellas Park. Her mother said the 20-year-old likes to get tattoos and also likes riding her bike. Bush is one of many bicycle accident victims in the Tampa Bay area as this problem continues to grow.

Continue Reading Pinellas Traffic Blog – Suspect In Hit And Run In Pinellas Park Still On The Loose After Leaving The Scene »
April 28, 2010

Pinellas County Warrants – Man Accused Of Fatal Hit-And-Run Has A Warrant Issued For His Arrest in Pinellas

Posted By 1 800 FIGHT IT

Pinellas County Attorney

A Pinellas County arrest warrant has been issued for a 22-year-old man named Anthony Bernard Peterson. Peterson is accused of being involved in a fatal hit-and-run crash in August. According to TBO.com, Pinellas Park police believe that the 22-year-old in currently hiding out in St. Petersburg.

The arrest warrant in Pinellas stems from an August 24 car accident that left 60-year-old William Trotter dead. Trotter was allegedly hit by a Chrysler 300 that ran a red light. The collision took place just after 2:00 a.m. and Peterson has since been identified as the driver of the Chrysler. Following the accident with Trotter’s Camry, another Camry was hit by the Chrysler before the people inside the Chrysler left the scene of the accident on foot. One of the passengers in the car stayed behind following the fatal hit-and-run.

Police searched the abandoned Chrysler and found crack cocaine and marijuana. They also found an invitation to a birthday party at a strip club. The party was in honor of the passenger who stayed behind at the scene of the accident.

Police, acting on a tip, located Peterson at Manatee Memorial Hospital. He was there with a broken leg. During that interview Peterson allegedly admitted to being the driver of the car that struck Trotter’s Camry.  Peterson claimed he and his friends sped out of the Bottom’s Up club where the birthday party was held due to gunfire at the strip club.

There is no explanation as to why Peterson was not charged immediately after admitting to being the driver of the Chrysler considering the drugs found in the car, the fact he left the scene of the accident and that there was a fatality. Now Pinellas Park police are unable to locate him and are looking for the public’s help in arresting Peterson.

Continue Reading Pinellas County Warrants – Man Accused Of Fatal Hit-And-Run Has A Warrant Issued For His Arrest in Pinellas »
April 26, 2010

Hit-And-Run In Florida– Witnesses Play A key Role In Catching A Man Leaving The Scene Of An Accident

Posted By 1 800 FIGHT IT

Tampa DUI Lawyer

Two women in their 30’s on vacation from New Hampshire were strolling along a sidewalk in Treasure Island when out of nowhere a black Mercedes ran them down and then was seen leaving the scene of the accident. Luckily for police there were witnesses to the hit-and-run and they did more than just recant the story. According to the St. Petersburg Times George Strus and his wife witnessed the car accident, called 911, checked on the women who were run over and then went after the car that hit the pair.

Strus was not alone in trying to track down the driver involved in the hit-and-run, as an off-duty Chicago police officer joined the chase as well. The pair were instrumental in leading police to 69-year-old Alyn Lee Towne who has been charged with leaving the scene of an accident with injury and DUI with serious bodily injury.

According to police Towne showed signs of impairment like bloodshot, watery eyes and an inability to balance himself when he returned to the scene of the accident. He preformed field sobriety tests and was also given a breath test. Results were not released. Towne was released from Pinellas County jail where he was being held on $10,000 bail.

Both women were taken to the hospital and both were set to be released today despite being treated for a broken tailbone, an injured hip and ankle and a concussion.  Witnesses were shocked and relieved both women not only survived but were able to leave the hospital. Considering the car veered onto the sidewalk, it is lucky nobody was killed in what could have been a terrible drunk driving fatality if all the facts in the story prove to be true.

Continue Reading Hit-And-Run In Florida– Witnesses Play A key Role In Catching A Man Leaving The Scene Of An Accident »
April 23, 2010

Clearwater Hit And Run – Man Convicted Twice For Leaving The Scene Of An Accident Charged With A Third

Posted By 1 800 FIGHT IT

Pinellas County Attorneys

Clayton J. Harrison has been convicted twice for leaving the scene of an accident and he is now looking at a third hit-and-run charge following an accident in Clearwater that may result in DUI charges as well. The 49-year-old was arrested this week for his involvement in an accident on U.S. 19. Harrison is accused of driving the wrong way on the major road and causing an accident with injuries and then fleeing.

The St. Petersburg Times reports Harrison had a blood-alcohol level of 0.352 according to blood tests yet it is not clear in the article whether or not the man was charged with DUI on top of leaving the scene of an accident. This is not the first time Harrison has been in need of a criminal defense attorney in Pinellas County. In 2000 Harrison was convicted of DUI after being involved in another hit and run crash. He received one year probation following that charge. In 1987 he received six months probation following hit and run crash with injury.

At the scene of his most recent accident police report Harrison was barely able to stand. He was taken to a local hospital and that is where a blood sample was taken. He was cited for leaving the scene at that point as he tried to flee following the crash. Clearwater police report that Harrison hit three vehicles. The last truck he hit ended up with his car lodged and his engine revving to try and escape.

The accident took place March 18 but Harrison was not arrested until this week. Part of the reason according to Clearwater police was that they were waiting the results of the blood test. Harrison has been released from Pinellas County Jail on $5,500 bail.

Continue Reading Clearwater Hit And Run – Man Convicted Twice For Leaving The Scene Of An Accident Charged With A Third »
March 2, 2010

Fatal Hit-And-Run Investigation In Sarasota Leads To Questioning Of Unidentified Person

Posted By 1 800 FIGHT IT

he Sarasota Herald Tribune is reporting that the Florida Highway Patrol is questioning someone in connection with Monday’s fatal hit-and-run in Sarasota. There is no word as of yet if the person is a suspect in the hit-and-run or just a witness. According to the story at least two people witnessed the crash that cost 56-year-old Luther Whitaker his life.

The driver of the car left the scene of the accident that occurred near the Siesta Drive roundabout at 8:00 p.m. First reports had the vehicle described as a dark colored compact car but the FHP could not confirm that description of the vehicle.

Continue Reading Fatal Hit-And-Run Investigation In Sarasota Leads To Questioning Of Unidentified Person »
March 1, 2010

Suspected Drunk Driver That Killed Mother Of Two Had A History Of Traffic Tickets

Posted By 1 800 FIGHT IT

there are more details coming out concerning the horrific drunk driving accident in Jacksonville that cost a wife and mother of two her life. Sasha Pringle has been charged with DUI manslaughter and now News4Jax.com is reporting the 31-year-old has a history of Florida traffic tickets. Pringle has multiple traffic citations since 2008 for careless driving and leaving the scene of an accident.

Pringle allegedly caused Luma Kajy’s SUV to plunge more than 100 feet into the St. John river after she rammed the woman’s GMC Envoy. Pringle then left the scene of the accident and drove back to her apartment. Witnesses led police to Pringle. She is being held on $1 million bail for driving drunk and causing the death of Kajy.

Continue Reading Suspected Drunk Driver That Killed Mother Of Two Had A History Of Traffic Tickets »
January 18, 2010

Tampa Man Charged In Fatal Hit-And-Run Stemming From December Incident

Posted By 1 800 FIGHT IT

Tampa’s Justin A. Baker knew he hit something while driving on State Road 52 on the evening of December 12. The 30-year-old believed he had run over a deer. The Florida Highway Patrol believes Baker ran over and killed 56-year-old Marie A. Magee. They have charged Baker with leaving the scene of an accident with injuries or death.

Baker was arrested more than a month after the hit and run incident took place. He was jailed at the Pasco County Jail and released on $10,000 bail. The FHP believes that Baker’s pick-up truck has damage that is consistent with hitting a person. Baker told the FHP he heard reports of the woman wo died that evening on the same road where he hit something and he thought it was possible it could have been his truck.

Continue Reading Tampa Man Charged In Fatal Hit-And-Run Stemming From December Incident »
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