Sgt Steve Gaskins, FHP is surrounded by troopers who part of a statewide campaign and are cracking down on hit and run drivers.
TAMPA, FL -
Hit and run crashes claimed 168 lives in Florida last year, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
FHP is launching a new campaign to remind drivers of their responsibilities after a crash and to, ultimately, bring the number of hit and run crashes down. Last year, there were nearly 70,000 hit and run crashes statewide, FHP said.
"We want people to understand there are consequences, (there are) people who feel pain and loss from these types of actions," FHP Sgt. Steve Gaskins said.
Nearly 15 years after Carnegia Holmes was killed in a crash on I-75, investigators are still looking for the driver who left the scene of the fatal crash.
"She was an amazing woman," said Holmes' sister, Ratonia Thompson. "She was amazing – good mom, good sister, good aunt, good friend. They took something precious."
Holmes is believed to have been hit by a large truck as she drove home from taking her boyfriend to work on the morning of April 2, 1998. Her car ended up in a wooded area and wasn't found until that evening, according to an FHP report.
Thompson said solving the case would give her family closure.
"And I just would like to ask them, ‘Why? Why?' I understand accidents happen, but why not stop?" she said.
Leaving the scene of a crash involving death is a felony, punishable by up to 30 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. Leaving the scene of a crash involving injuries is also a felony, punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000.
FHP says drivers involved in a crash should stay and help any injured parties, exchange information with other drivers and witnesses and call law enforcement. Troopers also recommend sketching a picture of the scene and taking photos if possible.
Friday, May 24 2013 4:45 PM EDT2013-05-24 20:45:45 GMT
State education commissioner Dr. Tony Bennett addressing students at Starkey elementary
The FCAT results are in and state officials are happy with what they see. Statewide, the math numbers stayed the same, but scores are up in both the writing and reading tests.
The FCAT results are in and state officials are happy with what they see. Statewide, the math numbers stayed the same, but scores are up in both the writing and reading tests.
Friday, May 24 2013 9:57 AM EDT2013-05-24 13:57:07 GMT
A 4-year-old K9 Officer, Ike, with Hernando County Sheriff Office K9 Unit passed away unexpectedly Thursday after an emergency surgery, Sheriff Al Nienhuis told us.
A 4-year-old K9 Officer, Ike, with Hernando County Sheriff Office K9 Unit passed away unexpectedly Thursday after an emergency surgery, Sheriff Al Nienhuis told us.
Friday, May 24 2013 8:44 AM EDT2013-05-24 12:44:14 GMT
Craft breweries from around the country including Tampa's Cigar City Brewing are toasting the troops with a beer aged with a unique ingredient that symbolizes America's pastime - baseball bats.
Craft breweries from around the country including Tampa's Cigar City Brewing are toasting the troops with a beer aged with a unique ingredient that symbolizes America's pastime - baseball bats.
Friday, May 24 2013 3:34 PM EDT2013-05-24 19:34:55 GMT
The military arm of the Better Business Bureau, BBB Military Line, reminded of possible scams targeting the active and retired military personnel and elderly veterans before the Memorial Day. Karen Nalven,
The military arm of the Better Business Bureau, BBB Military Line, reminded of possible scams targeting the active and retired military personnel and elderly veterans before the Memorial Day. Karen Nalven,
Friday, May 24 2013 12:13 PM EDT2013-05-24 16:13:39 GMT
Is there such a thing as a high-tech bikini body? When exercise and a healthy lifestyle still don't yield the results you want there is a newly approved FDA skin tightening device.
Is there such a thing as a high-tech bikini body? When exercise and a healthy lifestyle still don't yield the results you want there is a newly approved FDA skin tightening device.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 5:53 PM EDT2013-05-21 21:53:22 GMT
The state admits it dropped the ball, but 51 year old Wes Diebold lost his license over a 2 dollar mistake.
Looking for a job is tough enough these days but how much tougher does having a suspended driver's license make things? 51 year old Wes Diebold doesn't know for sure if his suspended license was a roadblock.
Looking for a job is tough enough these days but how much tougher does having a suspended driver's license make things? 51 year old Wes Diebold doesn't know for sure if his suspended license was a roadblock.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 2:30 PM EDT2013-05-21 18:30:01 GMT
The Obridge Academy is a virtual school with a virtual Florida headquarters and a virtual track record of performance. But under new legislation awaiting the signature of Governor Rick Scott it could
The Obridge Academy is a virtual school with a virtual Florida headquarters and a virtual track record of performance.
Monday, May 20 2013 5:56 PM EDT2013-05-20 21:56:22 GMT
The weather is getting warm in the bay area and pest control experts say it's bringing out dry wood termites. "The phones are ringing off the hook now because the termites are swarming," said exterminator
The weather is getting warm in the bay area and pest control experts say it's bringing out dry wood termites. "The phones are ringing off the hook now because the termites are swarming," said exterminator
Friday, May 24 2013 12:13 PM EDT2013-05-24 16:13:39 GMT
Is there such a thing as a high-tech bikini body? When exercise and a healthy lifestyle still don't yield the results you want there is a newly approved FDA skin tightening device.
Is there such a thing as a high-tech bikini body? When exercise and a healthy lifestyle still don't yield the results you want there is a newly approved FDA skin tightening device.
Friday, May 24 2013 9:57 AM EDT2013-05-24 13:57:07 GMT
A 4-year-old K9 Officer, Ike, with Hernando County Sheriff Office K9 Unit passed away unexpectedly Thursday after an emergency surgery, Sheriff Al Nienhuis told us.
A 4-year-old K9 Officer, Ike, with Hernando County Sheriff Office K9 Unit passed away unexpectedly Thursday after an emergency surgery, Sheriff Al Nienhuis told us.
Friday, May 24 2013 3:26 PM EDT2013-05-24 19:26:57 GMT
New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez closed on the sale of his Miami Beach home on Friday morning. The baseball icon sold his North Bay Road home for $30-million dollars. The sale is among the
New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez closed on the sale of his Miami Beach home on Friday morning. The baseball icon sold his North Bay Road home for $30-million dollars. The sale is among the
Tuesday, May 21 2013 2:30 PM EDT2013-05-21 18:30:01 GMT
The Obridge Academy is a virtual school with a virtual Florida headquarters and a virtual track record of performance. But under new legislation awaiting the signature of Governor Rick Scott it could
The Obridge Academy is a virtual school with a virtual Florida headquarters and a virtual track record of performance.
Thursday, May 23 2013 12:29 PM EDT2013-05-23 16:29:23 GMT
Kmart has launched the latest in what appears to be an edgy string of commercials. In April, one of its commercial went viral for a play on words. Explaining the ease of shipping a product to a customer
Kmart has launched the latest in what appears to be an edgy string of commercials. In April, one of its commercial went viral for a play on words. Explaining the ease of shipping a product to a customer
Wednesday, May 22 2013 4:53 PM EDT2013-05-22 20:53:43 GMT
A wealthy Sarasota retiree was tired of air travel options in Sarasota, so he decided to fix the problem the only way he knew how- he's starting 'Sunrise Airlines.'
A wealthy Sarasota retiree was tired of air travel options in Sarasota, so he decided to fix the problem the only way he knew how- he's starting 'Sunrise Airlines.'
Sgt Steve Gaskins, FHP is surrounded by troopers who part of a statewide campaign and are cracking down on hit and run drivers.
