Authorities say
a Lady Lake driver was involved in the accident that killed a Florida Highway Patrol trooper this weekend.
As troopers mourn the loss of Sgt. William T. Bishop, 52, of Lake City, investigators have released more information about the crash that killed him in Alachua County.
John Sams, 67 of Lady Lake, was driving a Cadillac southbound on Interstate 75 Saturday evening when the trouble began.
Ahead of him on the highway, Bishop, a 30-year veteran with Florida Highway Patrol, was outside of his patrol car closing down several lanes to investigate another crash.
Sams didn’t slow down and plowed into the back of a Ford Fusion, driven by Michael Korta, 46 of Tampa. The Fusion then struck Bishop, pinning him underneath.
The sergeant was pronounced dead at Shands Hospital in Gainesville, a trooper’s crash report states.
Sams was transported to Shands Hospital with minor injuries, while Korta wasn’t injured.
FHP Lt. Patrick Riordan said the crash investigation is ongoing.
Florida Gov. Rick Scott offered condolences to the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles and FHP in a written statement and said the crash is a reminder of the dangers they face on roads daily.
“This terrible loss is a somber reminder of the work our brave law enforcement officers do to keep us safe,” Scott said.