A sergeant with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office was arrested on Tuesday evening after colliding with a stop sign and a pedestrian crosswalk bridge near Disney World. The Florida Highway Patrol issued a report on the incident that indicates that 46-year-old Timothy Michael Craig was behind the wheel of his Toyota Tundra when he lost control of the vehicle and crashed. When the FHP arrived at the scene around 9:45 at night, they found Craig inside of his car where it came to a stop against the pedestrian bridge spanning Buena Vista Drive and Broadway.
Additionally, the FHP officers discovered two open bottles of Fireball Whiskey sitting in plain sight in the center console of Craig’s truck. Officers at the scene requested that Craig undergo a field sobriety test. His reply was a smug, “nope.” Craig was transported via the Orange County Fire Rescue to Hospital Celebration Health. Once there, officers with the Florida Highway Patrol again attempted to discuss the crash with the clearly intoxicated man. At this point, Craig became even more sullen and refused to discuss the event, telling the attending officers that he could not remember anything. The interviewing officers indicated in the report that, as well as having bloodshot and glazed over eyes, Craig smelled strongly of alcohol and slurred his words throughout the entirety of the interview.
When the hospital staff deemed Craig as healthy enough to leave, he was once again asked to discuss the incident. When officers with the FHP told Craig that he was the subject of a DUI investigation his response was to turn around and place his hands in the handcuff position behind his back. Asked if he understood his Miranda rights, Craig again replied “nope.”
In his final act of misguided superiority, Craig refused to take the Breathalyzer test when he arrived at the Orange County Jail. The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, Craig’s employer since 1994, has issued a statement indicating that they are appalled and ashamed at the actions of the officer. While they investigate the situation and subject Craig to an internal administrative review, Craig’s duties have been suspended without pay.
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.
If you or someone you love has been injured in a vehicle accident, call at (386) 243-4994.
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