FL Deputy Injured In Rollover Crash Caused By DUI Driver: Sheriff

RUSKIN, FL — A deputy is recovering after being seriously injured in a rollover crash caused by an impaired driver in Ruskin Saturday night, according to a Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office news release.

Deputy Ivan Clark, 47, who was driving an unmarked SUV, responded to a call about a reckless driver near East College Avenue around 10:30 p.m.

While crossing the intersection of 15th Street Southeast, a truck driven by Uriel Garcia Nestor, 25, entered the westbound travel lanes from a stop sign and hit Clark’s SUV on the passenger side.

This caused the SUV to roll over several times, ejecting Clark from the vehicle, the sheriff’s office said.

The deputy was airlifted to Tampa General Hospital, where he is in stable condition.

Florida Highway Patrol responded to the scene and conducted a traffic crash investigation.

Nestor seemed impaired and a driving under the influence investigation showed he had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.103 and 0.121, the sheriff’s office said.

He was charged with DUI with serious bodily injury, DUI with property damage and driving while license suspended with serious bodily injury.

“Our thoughts are with Deputy Clark, his family and friends during this difficult time,” Sheriff Chad Chronister said. “This incident is a stark reminder of the dangers impaired drivers pose to our community. It is deeply disappointing that someone would make the reckless decision to drive impaired, not only endangering their own life but putting everyone else on the road at risk.”