SARASOTA COUNTY – Florida Highway Patrol reported that A hit and run crash between two out-of-state drivers Thursday afternoon resulted in the arrest of a Montana man who fled the scene after rear-ending another vehicle on US 41 at Osprey Point Drive.

The incident occurred at approximately 4:40 PM on April 10, 2025, when a the driver of a Porsche Panamera traveling north on US 41 failed to slow down for stopped traffic and struck the rear of a Ford Edge SUV that was waiting at a red light. The rear-ended SUV was driven by a 76-year-old woman from Westfield, New Jersey.

Following the collision, the driver of the Porsche left the scene without providing information or assistance. The report stated that investigators noted signs that the driver may have been impaired and received information indicating that he intended to leave the state the following day by flying out from SRQ airport.

With help from the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office, Sarasota Port Authority, and TSA at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport, the Florida Highway Patrol located and arrested the driver—a 53-year-old man from Big Sky, Montana—as he attempted to board a flight out of Florida on April 11.

He was booked into the Sarasota County Jail and charged with leaving the scene of a crash involving property damage and reckless driving. The investigation remains ongoing.

Are You Covered If An Uninsured Driver Crashes Into Your Vehicle? This Crash Puts The Spotlight On Why You Need UM Protection

Crashes involving hit-and-run drivers or motorists without insurance can leave victims financially vulnerable. In these cases, Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage may be the only safety net available.

UM/UIM coverage protects drivers who are involved in accidents with:

• Hit-and-run drivers who are never identified,
• Uninsured drivers, or
• Drivers whose insurance is insufficient to cover the full extent of the damage.

According to the Insurance Research Council:

• Roughly 1 in 7 drivers in Florida are uninsured, making it one of the highest-risk states in the country.
• Hit-and-run incidents are on the rise, leaving many victims without the ability to recover damages unless they have UM coverage.

Even when a crash only involves property damage, the repair costs can be significant. Having Uninsured Motorist coverage can help protect you and your family from the financial consequences of someone else’s recklessness.

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