Commissioner Charged with Leaving Accident

County Commissioner Donna Hayes was cited today for careless driving and failing to immediately report an accident, after investigators say she rear-ended another driver on State Road 70 and left the crash scene, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

Hayes told the Sarasota Herald Tribune that the accident doesn't deserve attention and that the focus is only because she was a candidate for re-election, even though she dropped out of the race last spring.

According to the FHP report:

Hayes was following behind a Honda Odyssey mini-van, driven by Ruth Demha, and approaching the intersection of Third Street West. When Demha braked for traffic that stopped in front of her, Hayes failed to stop and struck the mini-van.

Hayes gave Demha her business card, which included an address and phone number and told Demha she was late for an appointment and feeling ill. She left the scene before troopers arrived at the scene.

She apparently was late for a hair appointment, because she told reporters that she went to her appointment to get her hair done. She began crying and told her hair stylist that she was feeling ill, so the stylist called EMS.

Hayes was taken to Blake Medical Center, where troopers cited her for careless driving and for not reporting the accident.

Hayes told the Bradenton Herald that Demha knew who she was and that the other car just had scratches.

Damage to the Demha's car was estimated at $500. Damage to the commissioner's Caddillac was estimated at $150.

Hayes said as a "Christian" with "values and principals" she planned on paying for the damage.

When contacted by Patch, Hayes said she didn't want to talk about the accident and hung up the phone. Demha could not be reached for comment.