A Floria Highway Patrol trooper is recovering after stopping a drunk driver on I-275 in Manatee County Sunday.
FHP says Kristen Watts, 52, was traveling north on I-275 toward the Armed Forces Skyway 10k race when she failed to stop for a roadblock. Troopers say Watts was driving at high speed. They attempted to conduct a traffic stop, but Watts did not stop and continued through a toll plaza toward the people running the 10k.
In an attempt to stop Watts from making it to the runners, troopers from a rest stop further up the road drove toward her. Watts nearly hit an FHP squad car before colliding violently with the front of FHP Trooper Shuck’s SUV.
The Florida Department of Highway Safety shared a video from the trooper’s dash camera.
🚨HERO ALERT🚨
Yesterday, a drunk driver was heading toward the Skyway 10K route and FHP Trooper Toni Schuck selflessly placed her vehicle directly in the path of the drunk driver – preventing a tragedy. Thank you for your service, Trooper Schuck. We wish you a speedy recovery. pic.twitter.com/JDYd80sn3C
— FLHSMV (@FLHSMV) March 7, 2022
Both Trooper Shuck and Watts were seriously injured in the crash and were transported to the hospital.
Watts was later arrested by FHP and is facing charges of DUI with a serious injury.
