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Hit-and-Run Suspect Shot, Apprehended by Sarasota Police

August 27, 2010 - Sarasota, FL - Harry Bell, 30, may be facing hit-and-run charges, as well as brandishing a weapon against officers after an Aug. 19 chase led to police shooting and arresting him.

WTSP.com reports that Bell was the suspect driver who caused a hit-and-run accident in Osprey about 5 miles from where he was finally apprehended. Police began following the dark-green pickup, which had sustained noticeable damage from the accident, from the intersection of Beneva and Clark Roads.

After attempting to pull over Bell's truck, officers say he came to a stop at the intersection and pulled out a gun. Unaware if the gun was loaded or not, officers opened fire, striking Bell but not causing any fatal injury. He was transported to Bayfront Medical Center with unspecified injuries.

On top of hit-and-run charges, Bell is a suspect in several armed robberies recently reported in the Sarasota area. Evidence obtained from inside his truck-including a mask-and the description of the truck itself may link him to the other crimes.

According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles' 2009 Traffic Crash Statistics Report, there were 197,214 traffic crashes resulting in injury and 2,563 fatalities as a result of vehicle accidents in Florida.

As a service to the residents of St. Petersburg, our firm will frequently publish blogs about local traffic accidents, including hit-and-run accidents. We do this to raise awareness about the common types of motor vehicle accidents that occur in Florida that may result in serious injury or traffic fatalities.

Common accidents include, but are not limited to: 

• single-car accidents;
• accidents caused by hazardous road conditions; and
• accidents caused by aggressive driving or distracted drivers. 

If you have been named in this blog or you are the victim's family member or friend and would like the blog removed from our website, please feel free to contact us and we will promptly accommodate your request.

The Law Offices of William K. Saron serve the St. Petersburg and surrounding areas for their personal injury cases, contact us today for help with your claim - 727-345-4566 or 866-836-4947.

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