Trooper Injured While Protecting Father Pushing Stroller In Tampa

TAMPA, FL — A Florida Highway Patrol trooper is recovering from minor injuries suffered while protecting a father pushing his child in a stroller on Monday.

At 8 a.m., troopers were assisting with traffic control for the Hillsborough Academy of Math and Science. At the signalized intersection of West Waters Avenue and Montague Street, an FHP sergeant saw a father pushing a child in a stroller south on Montague Street in a crosswalk with a green signal.

At the same time, the sergeant saw a vehicle traveling north on Montague Street, turning right under a green traffic signal and failing to yield to the pedestrian.

Sensing an impending collision, the sergeant stepped into the roadway and attempted to make the vehicle yield to the pedestrian. His attempt was unsuccessful. The vehicle continued east on West Waters Avenue.

Moments later, a 71-year-old driver operating a 2020 Nissan Rogue, also traveling north on Montague Street, proceeded to turn right onto West Waters Avenue and, failing to stop, struck the sergeant.

The sergeant, who has served with the FHP for 29 years and is a Marine veteran, suffered minor injuries. The driver was cited for failure to yield.