Deputy struck by car while investigating burglary
LAKE COUNTY, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35) - A Lake County Sheriff’s Deputy is recovering tonight after he was hit by a car while trying to investigate an attempted burglary Wednesday.
A peaceful country road in Lake County is stained with blood after a Lake County Sheriff’s Deputy and another man were hit by a car on Grays Airport Road in Lady Lake Wednesday morning.
“It was a horrific phone call to get. Everything runs through your mind at that point,” said Lake County Sheriff’s Captain Todd English.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office says Deputy Austin Pringle pulled over to talk to a suspicious man walking on the side of the road. The man matched the description of a suspect in a nearby attempted burglary that just happened.
Florida Highway Patrol says the deputy parked his car on the side of the road facing oncoming traffic when a car drove by. They say because of the patrol car’s headlight, the driver couldn’t see Deputy Pringle or the man, Cerontae Hodge, standing in the road. She hit them both.
All this unfolded in front of Billy Delade’s home.
“There’s a man laying there in front of my yard bleeding and it took me a while to realize it was a cop,” said neighbor Billy Delade.
It’s unclear why they were standing in the road. Both men are expected to be okay.
Everyone Fox 35 spoke with is pulling for Deputy Pringle, who’s battling a head injury.
“I'm glad that he's okay and we've been praying for him,” said Delade.
“What’s impressive about him is he is always smiling. He is always positive,” said Capt. English.
Florida Highway Patrol does not expect to file charges against the driver in this case.