A Villager was arrested 10 miles from the scene of a hit-and-run crash.
Carlos Manuel Collazo, 77, of the Village of Chatham, was driving a blue 2017 Toyota Corolla “at a high rate of speed” at about 8:30 p.m. Sunday northbound on Buena Vista Boulevard entering the roundabout bypass at Hendry Drive when he lost control of the vehicle, according to an arrest report from the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office. His vehicle left the roadway and sideswiped a retaining wall, causing damage to it.
A witness following Collazo called 911 and reported what had happened. The witness continued following Collazo’s vehicle which was “intermittently accelerating and decelerating.”
A deputy located Collazo’s vehicle which had “significant front-passenger side damage and a flat tire consistent with the reported crash.” The report noted that Collazo had traveled 10 miles from the scene of the crash. A second deputy went to the crash site and found blue fender fragments that matched Collazo’s vehicle.
Collazo initially claimed he had struck a “bump” or a “curb.” He said he had planned to go home and contact his insurance company the following day.
The native of Puerto Rico was arrested on a charge of hit and run. He was booked at the Sumter County Detention Center and released after posting $500 bond.