Patient escapes Brooksville hospital, runs over 70-year-old during carjacking: deputies

BROOKSVILLE, Fla. (WFLA) — An escaped patient at Tampa General Hospital-Brooksville is being charged with attempted murder after carjacking a man, the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office said.

According to the HCSO, deputies were dispatched to TGH-Brooksville on Oct. 12 around noon in regards to a hit-and-run crash in the parking lot.

Once deputies arrived on scene, several witnesses, some of whom were nursing staff, told deputies a woman, who was taken to the hospital earlier under a Marchman Act, escaped from the hospital by running out of the emergency entrance.

Lisa Nicosia, 41, approached a 70-year-old man who was sitting in his vehicle in the parking lot and “forcefully removed” him from the driver’s side of the vehicle, according to HCSO.

Deputies said as Nicosia got in the driver’s seat, the victim ran to the passenger side of the vehicle and opened the door, but Nicosia began driving away. The victim fell from the vehicle and became trapped under the rear passenger wheel.

According to HCSO, Nicosia continued in reverse, running over the victim’s upper body. Nursing staff asked Nicosia to stop the vehicle so they could help the man, but the sheriff’s office said she “ignored the pleas” and continued to drive away, running over the victim a second time.

The victim was airlifted to Tampa General Hospital in Tampa where his condition was said to be “grim.”

While responding to the initial call, deputies spotted the vehicle on Jefferson Street traveling east.

According to HCSO, deputies attempted a traffic stop, but Nicosia fled from them.

Nicosia traveled a short distance before pulling into a parking lot and running away. Deputies quickly apprehended Nicosia after a short foot pursuit, according to HCSO.

Detectives said the suspect was still showing signs of impairment from narcotics and was unable to make rational statements when she was brought in for questioning.

Nicosia was charged with attempted felony murder, carjacking, resist arrest without violence, fleeing to elude, and driving while license is suspended or revoked.

She remained in jail with no bond.,

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