An 89-year-old Villager was knocked from her golf cart in a collision with a hit-and-run driver.
The resident of the Historic Side of The Villages had been traveling in her golf cart at about 11 a.m. Tuesday on Paige Place in the Spanish Springs area when a white Toyota Corolla pulled into her path, violating the right of way, according to an arrest report from the Lady Lake Police Department.
Upon impact, the golf cart driver was ejected from the golf cart and landed on the roadway. She suffered “numerous visible injuries.” The Toyota Corolla fled the scene, but not before the license plate number was obtained. The arrest report indicated that Community Watch had captured video of the Toyota leaving the crash scene.
Police were able to track the license plate to the Parker at East Village apartments behind the nearby Lowe’s home improvement center. An officer spoke with the male owner of the car, who said his girlfriend had been driving the vehicle. The girlfriend was identified as 28-year-old Allison Marie Santiago-Zapata. She agreed to speak with officers at the Lady Lake Police Department.
During the interview with law enforcement, the native of Puerto Rico admitted to “freaking out” and leaving the scene of the crash, upon seeing the elderly Villager lying injured on the roadway. Santiago-Zapata said she went back home to the Parker at East Village apartments.
Police learned that Santiago-Zapata has a suspended license and was convicted of driving while license suspended in 2021.
Santiago-Zapata was arrested on charges of hit and run and driving while license suspended. She was booked at the Lake County Jail and released after posting $6,000 bond.
The Villager was treated at the scene by The Villages Public Safety Department.