The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said three people were arrested after a deputy was injured during a traffic stop last week.
Deputy Kalin Hall was seriously injured after a BMW driver rammed him during a traffic stop on Friday, July 5.
Hall was taken to Tampa General Hospital with a broken left leg and an injured right leg. He was released from the hospital over the weekend.
Sheriff Chad Chronister said Deputy Hall was working overtime, patrolling the roadways on the night of July 4, going into July 5. During the traffic stop, the driver fled but the deputy did not pursue the suspect.
Last week, investigators said they found the suspect’s BMW abandoned about a mile from the traffic stop. When the deputy located the suspect’s vehicle, the driver hit the gas and intentionally struck and drove over him.
The driver, identified as William Todd Lewis Jr., 24, got on the phone with his girlfriend, Keilise Garrison, 23, and drove a mile away into a neighborhood, leaving the car. The girlfriend then called his mom, who picked him up and drove him home.
Detectives arrived at the home and talked with the driver, who would not admit to anything regarding the incident.
“He showed zero remorse, only denial,” the Sheriff said.
The suspect was then picked up by a friend, identified as Zachary Carnegie, 24, in a rental car with their bags backed. As they drove into Pasco County, they pulled into a shopping center where deputies blocked them in and took them into custody.
The only comment Lewis made was that the money his mom had given him was in the back of the rental car.
“Our detectives worked tirelessly and with relentless determination to ensure this dangerous and reckless suspect was apprehended,” Sheriff Chronister said. “We couldn’t sit idly by knowing this suspect seriously injured our deputy and then fled without any care or regard for another human’s life. This arrest serves as a testament to our team’s commitment to justice and our community’s safety.”
According to the sheriff’s office, Carnegie was out on bond and has a lengthy criminal history including charges of attempted murder.
Lewis is facing several charges including aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer, leaving the scene of a crash with serious bodily injury, reckless driving with serious bodily injury, aggravated fleeing to elude with serious bodily injury, fleeing and attempting to elude an officer, and possession of more than 20 grams of cannabis. He was out on bond for open carry of a firearm and for the possession of drugs.
The girlfriend was also charged with tampering with evidence after deleting the messages with Carnegie, for aiding in their criminal endeavors.
“Instead of doing the right thing, Garrison made the conscious decision to conceal Lewis’ involvement. This choice to protect a criminal rather than uphold justice is not only deceitful but also deeply disappointing,” said Sheriff Chronister. “Her selfishly motivated actions undermined the integrity of our investigative efforts and put the community at further risk. For her role in this incident, she will face the full consequences of her actions.”
“This isn’t the final arrest of this case,” Sheriff Chronister added.
Car accidents can be life-altering events, leaving victims with injuries, property damage, and emotional trauma. At Ovadia Law Group, our dedicated team of attorneys specializes in helping individuals navigate the complexities of car accident claims. We understand the challenges you may face in the aftermath of a crash, from dealing with insurance companies to recovering from injuries. Our goal is to provide compassionate support and aggressive legal representation to ensure you receive fair compensation for medical bills, vehicle repairs, lost wages, and other damages. Whether your accident involved a rear-end collision, intersection crash, or a more complex multi-vehicle incident, we are here to advocate for your rights. Contact Ovadia Law Group at 1-800-674-9396 for a free consultation and let us help you secure the justice and financial recovery you deserve.
Source: wfla
