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Man arrested for DUI after crashing into patrol car in active work zone: FHP

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Published  April 10, 2025 10:35am EDT
Hillsborough County
FOX 13 News

The Brief

    • Vaughn Donaldson, 50, faces charges after crashing into a marked FHP cruiser with its lights activated, injuring a trooper.
    • It happened shortly before 3 a.m. Thursday in an active work zone on the northbound side of I-75 near mile marker 254.
    • Donaldson's charges include driving under the influence, DUI property damage and DUI personal injury.

BRANDON, Fla. - A St. Petersburg man faces criminal charges after the Florida Highway Patrol says he crashed into a marked cruiser in a work zone on I-75 in Hillsborough County, sending a trooper to the hospital.

What we know:

FHP says the crash happened shortly before 3 a.m. Thursday on the northbound side of I-75 near mile marker 254, not far from the exit to U.S. 301. 

Troopers say a Chevy Blazer driven by a man later identified as Vaughn Donaldson, 50, entered a work zone marked with signs, arrows and orange cones with reflective tape. He then crashed into the back of a marked Chevy Tahoe with its lights activated, according to investigators.

Photo courtesy: Florida Highway Patrol.

Photo courtesy: Florida Highway Patrol.

FHP says both Donaldson and the trooper inside the Tahoe went to the hospital with injuries described as not life-threatening.

Investigators arrested Donaldson on charges of driving under the influence, DUI property damage and DUI personal injury.

What we don't know:

FHP did not release the name of the injured trooper.

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The Source: This story was written with information from the Florida Highway Patrol.

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