A Sherriff’s Deputy is facing DUI charges after driving the wrong way on the interstate, crashing into a semi, and then fleeing the scene and hiding in a ditch early this morning.
FHP: Calls Come In About Wrong Way Driver On I-75
The crash happened on I-75 in Hillsborough County, Florida just after 3:30 a.m. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, calls came in about an SUV driving south in the northbound lanes. Soon, police received another call claiming that the SUV had hit a semi truck.
Troopers arrived on scene and found the truck driver uninjured. From the trucker’s description of the SUV, they were eventually able to locate it further south on I-75, but it was abandoned.
Helicopter Search Helps Police Find Deputy Hiding In Ditch
With help from the Hillsborough Sheriff’s Office’s helicopter and a search team, police were eventually able to locate Justin Garrett, a 29 year old deputy with the Hillsborough Sheriff’s Office.
Garrett was charged with driving under the influence resulting in property damage and leaving the scene of a crash involving property damage.
He remained in jail in lieu of a $750 bond.
Garrett is also suspended without pay pending the results of the investigation into this incident.
Sources:
Patch
The Tampa Bay Times
WFLA
