Driver Hits Officer's Car Head On In Valrico

VALRICO — A 25-year-old male driver hit an unmarked deputy's vehicle and swiped another on Highway 60 around 1:45 a.m. on May 10, according to a news release.

Aaron Major traveled eastbound in a 2016 black Chevrolet Impala along Highway 60 near Church Street when his car jumped the median and collided into a Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office vehicle and then sideswiped another Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office vehicle, said police. The officers were parked in a grass median monitoring for intoxicated drivers when the crash happened. Three passengers were in the car with Major. He told deputies they had left from a restaurant, and he fell asleep at the wheel. The vehicle belonged to one of the passengers. Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office said they suspect the driver may have been intoxicated.

"We cannot say it enough: driving under the influence is unacceptable. Crashing into a DUI deputy while intoxicated is downright inexcusable," said Sheriff Chad Chronister. "I am very grateful that our deputies were not more seriously injured and that no one involved in this crash lost their lives. While this investigation is still ongoing, I can assure you that the driver involved will be held accountable for his actions."

The deputies were taken to Tampa General Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. One deputy suffered a fractured ankle.

All passengers in the car, including Major were taken to local hospitals with non-life threatening injuries.