GULF BREEZE — A Gulf Breeze man accused of hitting a teenager’s car last month, causing serious injury, and fleeing is in jail.
Thomas Eugene Sutton, 17, of Gulf Breeze was hospitalized in serious condition after an apparent hit-and-run July 31 on U.S. Highway 98 in Santa Rosa County.
Sutton was traveling east around 2:51 p.m. on U.S. 98 near New Hope Road in a 2005 Kia Sedona with a maroon Chevrolet pickup traveling directly behind him. The front of the truck collided with the rear of the Kia, causing Sutton to lose control and rotate counter-clockwise, crossing the median and overturning in the westbound lane of U.S. 98.
The truck left the scene of the crash, but the Florida Highway Patrol on Aug. 3 received a tip that led them to William Ernest Himes, 53, of Gulf Breeze.
“During the interview and observation of Mr. Himes’ vehicle, it was determined that his vehicle was in fact the vehicle that struck Mr. Sutton’s vehicle, causing serious injuries to Mr. Sutton and leaving the scene of the accident,” an FHP media release states.
The vehicle had “significant damage consistent with the crash,” the release states.
Himes reportedly said he was the driver who hit Sutton’s vehicle, and FHP officials arrested Himes and transported him to the Santa Rosa County Jail.
He is charged with felony reckless driving and felony hit and run. His bond is set at $20,000.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Gulf Breeze man charged with hit and run