The Florida Highway Patrol is searching for a man who fled the scene of an accident involving a school bus Friday, September 23 in Hillsborough County, Florida.
The man was driving a black 2014 Ford F-150 pickup truck. He had been traveling east on State Road 574, close to Gallagher Road, with a 45-year-old passenger, who suffered minor injuries in the crash. The school bus was driven by a 64-year-old Mulberry woman, also heading east on State Road 574. According to the accident report, the driver of the F-150 was trying to overtake the school bus, but ended up colliding with the bus’s rear instead — causing both vehicles to spin out and come to a rest along the highway’s shoulder.
Fortunately, there was only one passenger, a 34-year-old woman from Plant City, in the bus at the time of the accident. Neither the bus driver nor the passenger suffered any injuries. However, police are still searching for the driver and request the assistance of anyone who might have information as to his whereabouts.
Leaving an accident scene is illegal
It is against the law to leave the scene of an accident before police officers arrive, unless it is a matter of life or death and you either return to the scene, get in contact with police or leave accurate information about how to get in contact with you.
The seriousness of the offense only increases when injuries or deaths are involved. In such a scenario, a driver who flees could be charged with a felony and face jail or prison time, in addition to fines and a suspended driver’s license.
If you have been involved in a serious car accident and are looking for options, meet with a skilled and experienced Bradenton personal injury attorney at Goldman, Babboni, Fernandez, Murphy & Walsh.