Driver Accused Of Hitting Cop Car Arrested

LARGO, FL — A 45-year-old man faces misdemeanor charges after Largo Police say he struck a deputy’s cruiser Saturday and fled the scene.

Louis Fontana saw media reports about the search for the driver involved in the crash, an email from the police department said. Fontana called the police department early Thursday and then drove to the station to talk with officers. He was subsequently arrested on a misdemeanor charge of leaving the scene of an accident.

“He expressed remorse at the incident and apologized,” Lt. Paul Amodeo wrote. “He is suspected of having been drinking and advised he panicked and left the scene of the crash.”

The crash in question happened Saturday night as an officer was pulled over in the northbound curb lane of U.S. 19 near Roosevelt Boulevard. The officer, who has not been identified, was parked with emergency lights on while helping a motorist with a disabled vehicle, an email from the police department said.

As the officer was helping the motorist, a vehicle struck the cruiser and kept right on going, the email said.

“The cruiser prevented the hit and run driver from striking the tow truck as well as the disabled driver,” the email added. “Thankfully, no one was injured in the crash.”

Photo of Fontana’s vehicle courtesy of the Largo Police Department

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