LAKE COUNTY, Fla. (FOX 35 WOFL) - As reported by the Lake County Sheriff's Office, a Lake County deputy sheriff is in stable condition and recovering at the Orlando Regional Medical Center after being struck by a car Wednesday morning while investigating an attempted car burglary.
They say that Deputy Austin Pringle was on his way home from working his shift just before daybreak when he heard a call on the radio regarding an attempted car burglary in the Lady Lake area. The report indicated that suspects had attempted to break into the car and fled on foot.
As deputy Pringle traveled on Grays Airport Road in the area, the sheriff's office says that he noticed a male walking along the road and pulled over to investigate. As Deputy Pringle was making contact with the male to gauge his possible involvement in the attempted burglary, a vehicle came along and struck the two.
Deputy Pringle is said to have sustained head injuries and was flown to the Orlando Regional Medical Center. The male sustained injury to his leg and was transported to Leesburg Regional Medical Center.
The sheriff's office says that Deputy Pringle attempted to push the male out of the way as the car was about to strike them.
Deputy Pringle is 27-years-old and has been with Lake County Sheriff's Office since November 2016. He is assigned to the patrol division.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the accident while sheriff's detectives investigate the attempted burglary.
The Florida Highway Patrol identified the driver that struck Deputy Pringle and the male he was speaking to. The driver, 53-year-old Kim Johnson, said that she saw the headlights of Deputy Pringle's car and slowed down, but did not know it was a police car.