LAKELAND, Fla. — Two Polk County Sheriff's deputies suffered injuries Tuesday night after their cruiser was struck head-on by a driver going in the wrong direction.
- 2 deputies involved in head-on crash Tuesday night on Combee Road
- DUI driver struck deputies' cruiser
- 1 deputy treated and released; other admitted for non-life threatening injuries
According to authorities, the crash happened just before 10 p.m. on Combee Road just north of South Eastside Drive.
Deputy trainee Eric Roberts was driving a 2016 Chevrolet Impala and Deputy Training Instructor Brittney Black was in the passenger seat when their cruiser was struck head on by a Chevrolet pick-up truck going north in the southbound lanes.
Another cruiser in front of the deputies avoided the crash. Meanwhile, the driver of another vehicle behind the crash swerved to avoid the collision and ended up in a ditch. That driver was uninjured.
Roberts was able to get out of the patrol car on his own. Black was initially unconscious and she was pulled out of the patrol car.
The deputies in the patrol car were transported to the Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center. Roberts was treated and released while Black was admitted with non-life threatening injuries, including head and facial injuries.
The wrong way driver, 46-year-old India Williams of Lakeland, was medically checked out at the scene and then arrested for DUI and booked into the Polk County Jail.
According to authorities, Williams' blood alcohol level was 0.145 and 0.151 during two breath samples taken. Arrest records indicate Williams' criminal history includes eight previous felony charges and nine misdemeanor charges.
"In a crash like this, we are so grateful that the injuries sustained by our deputies are not more serious," said Polk Sheriff Grady Judd. "We cannot say this too often: if you are under the influence of alcohol or drugs, don’t drive. Don’t let others drive under the influence.
"I can assure you, we will hold this drunk driver accountable for her actions."