HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FLA - A Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Deputy is recovering from a shoulder injury after he said a drunk driver hit his patrol car.
On February 16, Deputy Vitek was working and pulled over a truck and trailer because it did not have a registered tag. He pulled over the driver along Causeway Blvd. near 58th Street S.
Deputy Vitek said he didn’t see or hear anything behind him when suddenly a car slammed into his patrol unit. Deputy Vitek said his emergency lights were on.
“Next thing I know I hear a knock on the window and I look up and I was laying pretty much over my computer in the passenger seat,” Deputy Vitek said.
The person knocking on Deputy Vitek’s window was the driver of the truck that he had pulled over.
“It’s actually unbelievable and speaks on the good character of people,” Deputy Vitek said.
Deputy Vitek was unconscious momentarily; he then radioed for help and went to work.
“You have to stay in it, go ahead and do what you’re trained to do,” Deputy Vitek said.
Authorities said Pablo Alarcon admitted to them he drank a few beers. Deputy Vitek said there is no excuse for someone to get behind the wheel intoxicated.
“In this generation, it’s unacceptable. You have an option. You have something you could do,” Deputy Vitek said.
Authorities said Alarcon was charged with two counts of DUI. Deputy Vitek is on light duty for now until he is cleared to patrol again.
“You getting behind the wheel impaired is not only a threat to yourself, but it's to other drivers and other pedestrians on the roadway,” Deputy Vitek said.
