FHP Sgt. Struck, Killed While Assisting Alachua County Crash

Sgt. William Trampass Bishop, a member of the Florida Highway Patrol, was in the process of responding to a crash between two cars along Alachua County’s stretch of I-75 when he was struck and killed by another vehicle. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles has issued a statement regarding the incident in which they discuss the circumstances leading to the death of this beloved police force veteran. According to the statement, Sgt. Bishop had arrived at the scene of the first crash around 6:30 in the evening and was in the process of assisting the other first responders in southbound I-75’s emergency lane.

It was about this time that a second accident took place. The other cars, out of control after their collision in the highway’s center lane, veered towards the crash in the emergency lane. One of these cars collided with Sgt. Bishop. He was rushed to the UF Shands Hospital, located in Gainesville, but the extent of his injuries was too great for the team of medical professionals who attended to him. He was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at the hospital.

The official statement indicates that this incident, while tragic, highlights the sorts of dangers that members of the Florida Highway Patrol face on a daily basis. Especially at scenes of accidents, members of the Florida Highway Patrol are at risk to be struck by passing cars.

It is not known what occurred to cause this crash to happen, why the cars were speeding through an area that was the scene of another accident already, and what other factors may have contributed to the devastating accident. Furthermore, the details of the initial accident are not included in the statement about Sgt. Bishop. It seems as though the death of this officer has eclipsed all the other injuries and incidents that may have happened on that site.

Worth remembering is that any accident, no matter how minor, is potentially the starting point for lifelong medical complications. Even if the other individuals involved in this crash were not as gravely injured as Sgt. Bishop, the probability that at least one of those involved will experience future complications is high.

At this moment, charges are pending, although it is not known whom against.

James O. Cunningham

Since 1977, personal injury lawyer James Cunningham has provided effective legal advocacy to people who are injured through the negligent actions of another person or entity throughout the Central Florida area. He fights to obtain recoveries for his clients’ physical and emotional pain and suffering and pursues his clients’ personal injury cases with a commitment to excellence and impeccable preparation.