Beware Of Scams Exploiting Trooper’s Heroism At Skyway 10K: AG

FLORIDA — Floridians should be on alert for charity scams “attempting to exploit the heroic actions” of a state trooper who positioned her Florida Highway Patrol vehicle to stop a drunk driver from crashing into runners in the Skyway 10K Bridge Run earlier this month, according to a news release from Attorney General Ashley Moody’s office.

On March 6, a drunk driver heading north on I-275 careened past road closures in place during the 10K race on the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. The driver, a 52-year-old Sarasota woman, crashed into FHP Master Trooper Toni Schuck, who was trying to prevent her from driving into runners.

Both Schuck and the driver, Kristen Kay Watts, were seriously injured in the collision. Watts was later arrested and faces various charges, including DUI causing serious bodily injury.

Colonel Gene Spaulding, FHP director, said, “Master Trooper Toni Schuck's heroism and self-sacrifice are the embodiment of the Florida Highway Patrol's values–courtesy, service and protection. Trooper Schuck's quick, unhesitating action is an inspiring reminder of the bravery our nation's law enforcement officers display daily.”

“I was the last officer, I knew it was me,” Schuck said during a news conference after the incident, according to the Tampa Bay Times. “If it wasn’t me to get her to stop, then who?”

Related Story: DUI Driver Crashed Into FL Trooper During Skyway Bridge 10K: FHP

After the crash, two fake GoFundMe campaigns claiming to raise money for the injured trooper and were recently removed, the attorney general’s office said.

“Trooper Schuck is a hero, and I am appalled that anyone would try to exploit her heroics to rip off generous donors. My office immediately reached out to GoFundMe following reports that there were fake accounts on the platform purporting to raise money for the injured Trooper,” Moody said. “Thankfully, the accounts have already been removed. Please do your research before giving, and if you see suspicious fundraising activities claiming proceeds will be donated to Trooper Schuck, contact my office immediately.”

FHP said that there are no authorized online fundraisers connected to the incident.

“Master Trooper Toni Schuck risked her life last week to save countless Skyway 10K runners from a runaway drunk driver. But now scammers are trying to exploit her heroic and selfless actions for their financial gain. Don't fall for it,” the Florida Department of Law Enforcement posted to its Facebook page on Friday.

Floridians should be on the lookout for deceptive individuals operating online fundraising campaigns and review the following tips before contributing to them, the attorney general’s office said:

• Consider giving to campaigns created by known and trusted individuals.
• If information that raises suspicion is found when researching a crowdfunding organizer, report concerns to the Attorney General’s Office and the crowdsourcing platform.
• Notify the crowdsourcing platform if a potential recipient does not want a campaign set up or continued on their behalf.

Floridians can report charity scams to the Attorney General’s Office by calling 866-9NO-SCAM or visiting MyFloridaLegal.com.