FHP: Brooksville man calls troopers after seeing reports of deadly hit-and-run, says he thought he hit a deer
HERNANDO COUNTY, Fla. - After seeing media reports of a deadly hit-and-run crash, troopers said a Brooksville man contacted them saying he believed he struck a deer, not a person.
On Monday, the Florida Highway Patrol sent a news release about the crash. At the time, they were unsure of when it actually occurred, but said the victim was last contacted on Jan. 10.
FHP confirmed the victim was 47-year-old Tina Everhart, who is from Hernando County and was reported missing.
According to troopers, it appeared that Everhart was walking near Citrus Way and Glory Lane in Hernando County. Meanwhile, a vehicle was heading westbound on Citrus Way, when it hit the 47-year-old Brooksville woman, troopers said. She later died.
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In their press release, FHP said the debris recovered from the crash scene indicated that the suspect's vehicle is a Dodge Ram 1500 between the years 2002 and 2005. By Tuesday, officials said a 66-year-old man said he collided with what he thought was a deer while driving his 2002 Dodge Ram on Jan. 10.
Troopers are still investigating the deadly crash and "charges are considered pending at this time."
Anyone with information about the crash is asked to contact FHP by calling *FHP or Crime Stoppers.