MANATEE COUNTY – A hit and run crash closes parts of U.S. 41 for hours as state troopers investigate. The crash happened just after 9:30 Wednesday morning on U.S. 41 and Westmoreland Dr.
Florida Highway Patrol spokesman Trooper Kenn Watson tells SNN the truck seen on your screen was traveling southbound on U.S. 41.
Trooper Watson says that’s when a white SUV attempting to make a left turn on Westmoreland Dr. hit the truck causing it to overturn several times. The driver of the SUV then left the scene.
Two passengers onboard the truck were seriously injured. An adult woman who was taken to Sarasota Memorial and a six-year-old child that was flown to Tampa General Hospital.
“Well one of the most important things you want to do when you are making that left turn especially when you’re going across several lanes of traffic is making sure that there is not a vehicle within a blind spot,” said Trooper Watson.
As the Suncoast prepares for an influx of driver on the road Trooper Watson wants drivers to have more patience to avoid these type of crashes.
“You want to make sure that if there’s still three vehicles approaching there’s not a fourth one that stuck there in between them and you simply don’t see it prior to you pulling out in front of traffic,” said Trooper Watson.
Trooper Watson says the driver has been arrested and is facing charges of a felony hit and run with serious bodily injury.
