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Man flees wreck scene
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| Columbia County first responders carry Joseph A. Corrao to an EMS unit Sunday night following a 45-minute manhunt. According to Florida Highway Patrol reports, Corrao was involved in a head-on collision and attempted to flee the scene of the wreck. PATRICK SCOTT/Special to the Reporter |
Manhunt ends in arrest after 3 men injured in Sunday night collision.
By TONY BRITT
tbritt@lakecityreporter.com
ELLISVILLE —A Lake City man was arrested Sunday night following a manhunt where he tried to flee the scene of a wreck after he allegedly caused a head-on collision while driving under the influence of alcohol, according to police reports.
Joseph A. Corrao, 37, was apprehended after he fled the scene of the wreck when his van collided with a car. He was later flown by helicopter to a Gainesville hospital with serious injuries, as was Randall A. Proffitt, a passenger in the other car. The car’s driver, Christopher Cody Glenn, 22, of Lake City, was also listed in serious condition.
The wreck occurred at approximately 8:42 p.m. Sunday on County Road 238, just north of October Road, in the Ellisville area.
According to Florida Highway Patrol reports, Corrao was traveling eastbound on County Road 238 (Providence Highway) in a 2002 Ford van, just east of U.S. Highway U.S. 41/441.
Glenn was traveling westbound on County Road 238 in a 1991 Acura two-door, with Proffitt as his passenger, approaching U.S. Highway 41/441.
According to preliminary FHP crash scene analysis and witness statements, Corrao, who reports indicate was impaired by alcohol, allowed his van to veer into the westbound lane directly into the path of Glenn’s car.
Both vehicles collided in an angled, head-on collision, according to reports.
Corrao then fled the scene into a nearby wooded area, requiring a manhunt by FHP troopers and Columbia County Sheriff’s Office deputies with
K-9 units.
FHP Crash Investigator Mark E. Birchard said the manhunt lasted about 45 minutes as law enforcement officers and first responders searched for Corrao.
“He was in some high weeds and planted pines,” Birchard said.
Birchard said Corrao was found in some planted pines on the south side of the road, where he ran 50-75 feet in the tree line and laid down.
Because of Corrao’s labored breathing while he was hiding, FHP trooper James Taylor and Columbia County Commissioner Stephen Bailey, who is a volunteer firefighter, found him.
“They both heard a noise in the dark coming from the trees and they jumped the fence and found him,” Birchard said.
Corrao was taken into custody without incident and later flown to Shands at the University of Florida.
Proffitt was also flown to Shands at the University of Florida, while Glenn was taken to Shands Lake Shore with serious injuries.
No condition updates were available at press time.
Charges in connection with the wreck are pending the results of a blood-alcohol test.
Birchard said blood-alcohol content level test results are not expected back for about 30 days.
Joseph A. Corrao, 37, was apprehended after he fled the scene of the wreck when his van collided with a car. He was later flown by helicopter to a Gainesville hospital with serious injuries, as was Randall A. Proffitt, a passenger in the other car. The car’s driver, Christopher Cody Glenn, 22, of Lake City, was also listed in serious condition.
The wreck occurred at approximately 8:42 p.m. Sunday on County Road 238, just north of October Road, in the Ellisville area.
According to Florida Highway Patrol reports, Corrao was traveling eastbound on County Road 238 (Providence Highway) in a 2002 Ford van, just east of U.S. Highway U.S. 41/441.
Glenn was traveling westbound on County Road 238 in a 1991 Acura two-door, with Proffitt as his passenger, approaching U.S. Highway 41/441.
According to preliminary FHP crash scene analysis and witness statements, Corrao, who reports indicate was impaired by alcohol, allowed his van to veer into the westbound lane directly into the path of Glenn’s car.
Both vehicles collided in an angled, head-on collision, according to reports.
Corrao then fled the scene into a nearby wooded area, requiring a manhunt by FHP troopers and Columbia County Sheriff’s Office deputies with
K-9 units.
FHP Crash Investigator Mark E. Birchard said the manhunt lasted about 45 minutes as law enforcement officers and first responders searched for Corrao.
“He was in some high weeds and planted pines,” Birchard said.
Birchard said Corrao was found in some planted pines on the south side of the road, where he ran 50-75 feet in the tree line and laid down.
Because of Corrao’s labored breathing while he was hiding, FHP trooper James Taylor and Columbia County Commissioner Stephen Bailey, who is a volunteer firefighter, found him.
“They both heard a noise in the dark coming from the trees and they jumped the fence and found him,” Birchard said.
Corrao was taken into custody without incident and later flown to Shands at the University of Florida.
Proffitt was also flown to Shands at the University of Florida, while Glenn was taken to Shands Lake Shore with serious injuries.
No condition updates were available at press time.
Charges in connection with the wreck are pending the results of a blood-alcohol test.
Birchard said blood-alcohol content level test results are not expected back for about 30 days.
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| Car crashes into home |
sarahm wrote on Jan 6, 2009 6:49 AM: