Driver sought after hit-and-run kills woman, injures deputy

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LAKE WALES, Fla. (AP) – Authorities are searching for a driver involved in a hit-and-run that killed a Tampa woman and seriously injured a sheriff’s deputy.

Polk County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Carrie Horstman says Deputy Adam Pennell stopped to talk with 33-year-old Jessica Enchautegui-Otero around 12:30 a.m. Saturday after seeing her standing on a grass median.

Pennell called dispatchers about Enchautegui-Otero’s car, which had hit a tree.

Horstman says emergency responders found the deputy and Enchautegui-Otero “with significant injuries” several minutes later after another vehicle left the road and struck them.

A photograph from the sheriff’s office appeared to show tire impressions in the grass near Pennell’s patrol car. Horstman says authorities were searching for a driver whose vehicle had front-end damage.

Enchautegui-Otero was pronounced dead at a hospital. Horstman says Pennell was hospitalized with serious injuries.

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