A Pennsylvania man was arrested after allegedly jerking the steering wheel into the path of a semi during an argument with his girlfriend.
A trooper responded to a vehicle crash that injured 37-year-old Andrew Lewis Adams and his girlfriend of one year at 3:30 a.m. Monday, according to an arrest report from the Florida Highway Patrol. Law enforcement found their vehicle, a maroon Chevy sedan with significant damage to the rear, in the east grass shoulder of Interstate 75 near mile marker 301 in Bushnell. Nearby sat a semi truck with significant damage to the front of the cab.
Before being taken to a hospital, the girlfriend explained her mother had cancer, so she came down with Adams to visit her. She later started the drive home with him in the passenger seat since he had been drinking all day. They then started arguing, during which he stated he was not having fun, he should never have engaged with her and she was fat, the report said.
She slapped him in response. A short time later, he took control of the steering wheel and forced the vehicle into the path of the semi, the report said.
Dash cam footage from the semi showed the Chevy headed northbound in the middle before jerking left to right. It then made a quick, sudden turn to the right and into the direct path of the semi, resulting in the front of the semi colliding with the back of the Chevy, the report said.
The trooper subsequently met with Adams at HCA Citrus Memorial Hospital, located at 502 W Highland Blvd., Inverness, as he was being medically cleared. He stated he would only talk if he was not going to jail. He also mentioned he was the passenger, and he started drinking after the collision, the report said.
Additionally, a deputy with the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office found six unopened yellow packets labeled “Buprenorphine and Naloxone Sublingual” film in Adams’ wallet. He did not notify law enforcement that he was in possession of a schedule 3 substance, the report said.
Adams was ultimately arrested on charges of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, reckless driving (damage person or property) and smuggle contraband. He was transported to the Sumter County Detention Center with bond set at $103,500.