Florida deputy airlifted after alleged drunk driver slams into patrol car

RUSKIN, Fla. ( WFLA ) — A Florida sheriff’s deputy was airlifted to a hospital with serious injuries after officials said an alleged drunk driver slammed into his patrol car Saturday night.

Around 10:30 p.m. ET, Florida Highway Patrol troopers responded to a crash on SR-674 and 15th Street in Ruskin involving an unmarked Hillsborough Sheriff’s Office Chevy Tahoe. Ruskin is about 20 miles south of Tampa.

Officials said 25-year-old Uriel Garcia Nestor, of Ruskin, was driving his Ford pickup southbound on 15th street when he allegedly ran a stop sign and collided with the deputy, identified as Deputy Ivan Clark, who had been traveling westbound on SR-674.

The crash caused the deputy’s vehicle to flip several times into the median, ejecting Deputy Clark from the vehicle, according to officials.

The sheriff’s office shared a photo of Clark’s vehicle, seen below, showing various points of damage and at least one deployed airbag.

The 47-year-old deputy was airlifted to a nearby hospital with serious injuries.

FHP suspected Nestor had been under the influence, and later discovered his blood alcohol level was 0.121.

Nestor was arrested and taken to the Hillsborough County Jail for driving while under the influence with serious bodily injury, driving while under the influence with property damage, and driving with a suspended license.

“Our thoughts are with Deputy Clark, his family and friends during this difficult time,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister. “This incident is a stark reminder of the dangers impaired drivers pose to our community. It is deeply disappointing that someone would make the reckless decision to drive impaired, not only endangering their own life but putting everyone else on the road at risk.”

As of Sunday morning, Deputy Clark was listed as being in stable condition.

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