Escaped Zebra Causes Crash, Takes Off (Video)

RIVERVIEW, FL — The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a Friday afternoon crash that sent a 21-year-old Riverview man to the hospital with minor injuries. The creature that caused the fender bender isn’t likely to face charges though. After all, it’s hard to get a zebra to pay a fine even in a hit-and-run.

According to the sheriff’s office, Nathaniel Jolley was heading west on County Road 672 in a Ford F150 pickup around 1:58 p.m. May 5. As Jolley traveled just east of Amber Sweet Lane, he spotted a zebra on the side of the road.

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The critter, an email from the sheriff’s office said, was strolling along when she ran into the driver’s side of Jolley’s truck.

“The impact broke the side mirror and shattered the mirror with some of the glass hitting the driver,” the email noted. Jolley received lacerations from the shattered glass.

As for the zebra, she took off after impact. It seems finding her required some help from the sheriff’s office’s aviation unit. Deputies were able to get the creature corralled and returned to its owner. Based on video released by the sheriff’s office of the pursuit, the zebra was in good condition after her brush with the Ford.

Jolley, however, went to a hospital following the encounter to be checked out, the sheriff’s office reported.

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Screenshot and video courtesy of the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office