Woman Accused of Rear Ending Deputy's Cruiser

A 53-year-old Gibsonton woman faces charges after Hillsborough County Sheriff’s deputies say she rear-ended one of the agency’s cruisers.

The case against Gertrude Horton-Wade unfolded Friday around 9 p.m. as two deputies were heading north on U.S. 301 near Palm River Road and stopped to check on another deputy who was pulled over with a traffic stop.

“Deputy Jernigan was driving and he activated his light bar prior to stopping,” the sheriff’s office wrote in an email to media.

As the cruiser stopped, however, it was struck from behind by a blue 2007 Nissan two-door.

“Wade did not apply her brakes before striking the patrol car,” the email said.

Deputies noticed signs of impairment and called in a DUI investigator.

Wade, the email said, refused to provide a breath sample. She was charged with DUI with property damage. No injuries were reported in the crash.

Booking photo courtesy of the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office