Sarasota Man Charged with DUI After Crash Injures Trooper

Florida Highway Patrol says the incident occurred early Sunday morning on Interstate 75.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 9:12pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a damaged car side mirror reflecting the flashing lights of a police vehicle, conceptually illustrating the aftermath of a DUI-related crash.The aftermath of a DUI-related crash that injured a Florida Highway Patrol trooper on the side of the road.Sarasota Today

A 35-year-old Sarasota man has been arrested and charged with DUI after causing a crash that seriously injured a Florida Highway Patrol trooper who was assisting a disabled motorist on Interstate 75 early Sunday morning.

Why it matters

Impaired driving incidents that result in injuries to law enforcement officers on the roadside are a serious public safety concern, highlighting the need for continued education and enforcement efforts to combat drunk and drugged driving in Florida.

The details

According to the FHP report, the trooper was outside of his patrol car assisting a disabled motorist on northbound I-75 around 3:18 a.m. when the Sarasota man's vehicle crashed into the back of the patrol car, causing it to strike the trooper. The injured trooper was transported to a local hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

  • The incident occurred around 3:18 a.m. on Sunday, April 12, 2026.

The players

Florida Highway Patrol

The state law enforcement agency responsible for patrolling Florida's highways and investigating traffic incidents.

35-year-old Sarasota man

The driver who was arrested and charged with DUI after the crash that injured the trooper.

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What they’re saying

“Impaired driving incidents that result in injuries to law enforcement officers on the roadside are a serious public safety concern.”

— Florida Highway Patrol

What’s next

The Sarasota man will appear before a judge who will determine if he should be released on bail pending further legal proceedings.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the dangers that impaired drivers pose to both law enforcement and the general public on Florida's roads, and highlights the critical importance of continued efforts to combat drunk and drugged driving in the state.