Sheriff: Deputy's Car Burst into Flames After Struck by Drunk Driver

A Hillsborough County Sheriff's deputy is lucky to be alive this morning after another car struck his patrol car—which burst into flames shortly after impact.

According to the sheriff's office, at about 1 a.m. Sunday, a 2001 Ford Excursion driven by Angel Pena was traveling eastbound on Bearss Avenue in the westbound lanes, just west of the Jimmy B. Keel Library.

Pena was driving without headlights illuminating the roadway, and drove onto the grass median, striking a small tree with the right front of the vehicle, according to the report. The Excursion continued eastbound to the end of the
grass median and back onto Bearss Avenue, still traveling eastbound in the
westbound lanes.

Deputy Juan Lazu was on routine patrol in a marked vehicle, traveling westbound on Bearrs Avenue when his vehicle was struck "nearly head on" by the Ford Excursion, the report stated. Deputy Lazu did not see the Ford Excursion approaching until just prior to impact, according to the report.

After impact, the patrol vehicle rotated in a counter-clockwise direction
coming to rest about 45 feet from the area of impact, partially in the median. Lazu was trapped in his patrol vehicle but was able to call for help on his radio, the report stated.

Additional deputies responded to the scene and pulled Lazu from his vehicle "moments before both vehicles exploded and (were) consumed by fire," according to the report.

Lazu, 47, suffered minor injuries from the crash and was transported to Florida Hospital on Fletcher Avenue. He is "expected to fully recovery and return to full duty" the report stated.

Pena, "who had a very strong odor of alcohol at the time of the crash," was
transported to St. Joseph's Hospital. Once he was medically cleared and released, Pena was arrested and transported to the Hillsborough County Jail.

He faces charges of DUI with Property Damage and Refusal to Submit to Breath/Blood Test.