A warrant is out for the arrest of a Lake County Sheriff's deputy.

  • Lake County deputy wanted in connection with hit-and-run
  • Mark Knuuttila involved in 2 crashes Saturday night, Eustis Police say
  • Investigators say Knuuttila ran away from 2nd crash

Eustis Police say Mark Knuuttila was involved in a hit-and-run crash Saturday night near Grand Island Shores Road and Sun Country Court.

Elaine Gaff said Tuesday she was sleeping Saturday night when authorities say Knuuttila crashed his Jeep into a boat in her driveway.

"It sounded like a really big explosion. I thought, 'Holy cow, you know, what's going on?'" Gaff said.

Police investigators say that before that crash, Knuuttila was involved in a rollover crash.

Authorities say a male passenger had fallen out of the Jeep, which landed right side up. Police say Knuuttila then ran away.

"With the assistance of the Sheriff's Office, the aviation unit I believe, and also a bloodhound dog that came out there, there was an active search for him, but we didn't find him," Det. Jim Franquiz said.

Authorities say Knuuttila turned up at a hospital.

Knuuttila is a 24-year veteran of the Sheriff's Office. He was assigned to the U.S. Marshals fugitive extradition unit but has been placed on administrative leave.

The man ejected from Knuuttila's Jeep was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.