Man Flees Crash, Leaves Car Behind

When a Florida Highway Patrol trooper rolled up to a Trinity home Sunday night, April 12, to investigate a crash, he found the 2011 silver Chevrolet involved on the scene but the driver was long gone.

According to an arrest report, the trooper recorded "extensive damage" to the landscaping, trees and sprinkler system in the 10646 Alico Pass home's yard. 

Although the car was still there when the trooper arrived, the driver had fled. A witness saw a tall, thin man leave the scene.

Authorities found the vehicle was registered to Joseph Lynch, 25. They also discovered his license was suspended.

They located him near the crash around 1 a.m. Monday morning. His girlfriend told authorities Lynch came to her house after the crash and that she and him had returned to the scene, according to an arrest report.

A Pasco County Sheriff’s deputy arrived and arrested Lynch. The trooper noticed that Lynch’s breath smelled of alcohol and that his pupils were dilated.

Lynch, of 1409 Weyford Blvd. in Holiday, was booked into the Land O’ Lakes Jail and charged with leaving the scene of a crash without providing information, DUI, and two counts of DUI damage to property or people. He was released Monday after posting $1,000 bail.