Sebring Police Department is currently investigating a hit and run accident involving a Highlands County Fire Rescue unit that took place at 4:32 p.m., August 26th on Hwy 27 N. HCFR Rescue 10 was transporting a patient to a local hospital with lights and sirens. A red Dodge truck struck the rescue unit by crossing into their lane of traffic and side swiping their unit. No injuries were sustained to the patient or the HCFR crew.
After failing to stop at the scene of the accident, the Dodge truck fled the scene and turned onto Bayview Street driving towards Lakeview Drive. Once turning onto Lakeview Drive, the Dodge truck then crashed into another vehicle, a Ford F-150, that was attempting to pull into their residential driveway. The driver of the Dodge truck again fled the scene.
SPD found the truck abandoned in the area of Cowboy Way and SR 17 North. A request was made for Highlands County Sheriff’s Office – Sheriff Paul Blackman to assist with the use of their K9 Unit and drone. Fresh shoe impressions were located heading north into the groves. K9 and a drone responded to the location and a K9 track and aerial search were underway. At 6:30 p.m., HCSO Units located an individual matching the description given to them with the help of K9 Hank and turned the individual over to SPD. The registered owner of the vehicle, Ryan Batson, was the individual located on Shored Road with the help of HCSO. All occupants within the ambulance and the driver of the Ford F150 were not injured as a result of the crashes. Batson was later transported to the hospital for minor medical treatment. The investigation is still ongoing at this time.
