COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. — On Monday, the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) released a new description and photos of the car they believed hit a state trooper who was conducting a traffic stop and then took off.
Troopers believe the car is a blue or dark colored 2006-2011 Honda Civic, equipped with neon lights and more than likely has damage to the front and right sides of the vehicle.
According to Lieutenant Greg Bueno with FHP, the trooper was pulled over on the shoulder of I-75 in Naples early Sunday morning, when a car hit the driver side trooper's squad car and fled the scene.
“It certainly creates a challenge that didn't need to happen,” Bueno said. "That vehicle obviously made a move over violation, subsequently damaged a state patrol car, but thankfully no major injuries."
The crash happened 3 days after FHP's news conference calling on drivers to be more cautious, and if a crash happens, to remain on the scene.
In 2023, state numbers show 316 hit-and-runs across Charlotte, Collier, and Lee Counties. So far there have been 237 hit and runs in Lee County, 47 in Collier and 32 in Charlotte.
"From the human element it's certainly frustrating, but we have job to do and we will continue to do our job and push through those frustrations," Bueno said.
With law enforcement saying the problem continues at an alarming rate, Fox 4's Briana Brownlee reached out to the lawmakers to see if there are any plans to address this ongoing issue in Tallahassee.
Representatives Tiffany Esposito (R-Lee) and Lauren Melo (R-Collier) both sit on the state house's transportation committee. However, Monday was President's day and because of that neither could be reached for comment.
Even though the Representatives could not be reached today, FHP is hoping the community will help law enforcement out when cutting down the numbers.
"Bigger picture, we had over a 140,000 hit and runs last year," Lt. Bueno said. “This is something collectively as a community and as a state we all need to be on the lookout for each other.”
Anyone with information about the Sedan is asked to call Crimestoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS. FHP says that leaving the scene of a crash that ends in property damage, death, or injury is against the law.
Update on the hit & run vehicle that struck a FHP car on I75 on 2/19 at 1:58 am
— FHP SWFL (@FHPSWFL) February 20, 2023
Troopers are looking for a
2006-2011 Honda Civic, blue or dark in color, with undercarriage neon lights, changing to the colors of blue, purple & green!
Plz contact FHP or @SWFLCrime8477 with tips! pic.twitter.com/pIp1xWF6Fr
