Polk County Sheriff's traffic deputies arrested a Bartow, FL man Wednesday after an investigation revealed he caused a two-car traffic crash Tuesday in which a woman and her son were critically injured, and then fled the scene.
According to the ABC Action News, around 7:45 p.m. on Tuesday, a Dodge Ram and a GMC pickup truck were both going north on US Hwy 98, in Lakeland, FL when the trucks appeared to have cut each other off.
According to witnesses, both drivers exchanged words or gestures, and then both trucks continued going northbound in their respective lanes.
As the two trucks approached Illinois Avenue, in Lakeland, FL the GMC moved to the left, towards the red Dodge, hitting it two times.
As a result of being hit by the GMC, the driver of the Dodge lost control and crossed over into oncoming traffic, into the path of a Ford Fusion being driven by Amy Krupp, of Lakeland, FL.
The two vehicles struck each other nearly head-on, causing the Ford to run off the road and roll into a ditch, landing on its roof.
Krupp and her 10-year-old son were both critically hurt, and have life-threatening injuries.
Krupp was taken to Lakeland Regional Medical Center, in Lakeland, FL where she remains in critical condition. Her son was taken to Tampa General Hospital, in Tampa, FL where he remains in critical condition. Both were wearing seatbelts.
The driver of the Dodge, Joshua Moore, was taken to Lakeland Reginal Medical Center, in Lakeladn, Fl with minor injuries. He is expected to recover. It is not yet known if he was wearing a seatbelt.
The driver of the GMC, after hitting the Dodge, fled the scene, but his tag number was recorded by a witness and that information was given to Polk County Sheriff's Office traffic deputies who investigated the crash.
The tag number was given out to authorities locally and statewide, and deputies found the truck in Bartow, FL Wednesday.
The truck is registered to Richard Waters, who was also found by deputies shortly after they found the truck.
Damage to the truck matches the physical evidence left at the scene of the crash.
Waters admitted to driving the truck, to being at the scene when the crash occurred, and to leaving the scene of the crash. Waters was arrested and will be charged with leaving the Scene of a crash with serious bodily injuries.
He is being held without bond. His first court appearance will be Thursday.
Seat belt laws apply to all cars, pickup trucks, and vans operated on Florida roads. All passengers in the front seat must wear a seat belt. All passengers under 18 must wear a seat belt
In my experience as a personal injury attorney, practicing in Winter Haven, FL, I have represented a number of hit and run victims who never get the justice they deserve because the driver is not identified. From the civil perspective, you can purchase uninsured motorist coverage to protect you from such instances. Be sure to call your insurance representative today to discuss your coverages and make sure you carry the highest uninsured motorist coverage you can afford.
