Wesley Chapel Motor Vehicle Collision Attorney :: Pasco County Deputy Injured in New Year’s Hit and Run Crash

A Pasco County Sheriff’s Deputy suffered serious injuries in the early morning hours of New Year’s Day after a hit-and-run driver smashed into his police cruiser. Investigators claim they have several people in custody for the accident.

The accident happened at State Road 54 and Loury Drive around 4:20 a.m. Police believe a Ford F-150 pickup truck swerved into oncoming traffic and slammed into
Deputy Darren Hill’s cruiser head-on. The 29-year-old deputy was airlifted to St. Joseph’s Hospital with two broken legs.

Hill was able to trigger an emergency alert signal in his vehicle after the crash.

Investigators immediately began searching for the driver of the truck, who fled the scene on foot.

Hill, who will celebrate his second anniversary as a Pasco deputy on January 9, is expected to make a full recovery.

According to investigators, the events that led up to Wednesday’s early-morning crash involve a 25-year-old man, his wife, his brother and his brother’s wife.

The 25-year-old man was apparently hosting New Year’s party at his Land O’Lakes home when he got into an argument with his wife. He allegedly got behind the wheel of the red Ford F-150 and drove away, planning to go to his brother’s house. However, on his route to his brother’s, police believe he swerved into oncoming traffic, hitting Deputy Hill’s vehicle.

The man got out and made the rest of the trek to his brother’s house on foot. Police noted that the man sustained only minor injuries after the crash.

The man’s brother and his brother’s wife then allegedly transported him back to his Land O’Lakes home where the party had taken place.

According to police, the three family members were “extremely” uncooperative with detectives.

Ultimately, the man’s wife, his brother and his brother’s wife were arrested and charged with obstruction.

FHP troopers located the driver and took him into custody.

Hit-and-run drivers can further complicate an already stressful situation. Fortunately, in this situation, the driver was identified. However, in many hit-and-run auto accidents, the driver is not identified. This does not mean you are left with zero options. In these scenarios, you might be able to obtain financial compensation for your injuries through underinsured/uninsured motorist coverage on your car insurance policy. You will still need to make sure your car insurance company acts in good faith regarding your claim, which can be difficult.

A Pasco County Auto Accident Lawyer at Whittel & Melton can make sure you are not mislead or cheated out of a fair settlement by your insurance company. Many people assume that the insurance company has their best interests in mind and will cover any damages and losses. Sadly, this is not always the case. The insurance company is often more interested in their bottom line than what is best for you. That is why you need an accident injury lawyer fighting in your corner to make sure you receive the full and fair recovery you are entitled to. By contacting a Pasco County Auto Accident Attorney at Whittel & Melton as soon after your car accident as possible, we can increase your chances of gaining just compensation. Contact us today online or call our Wesley Chapel office at 813-221-3200.

Photo credit: Scott Davidson / Foter.com / CC BY