A Bradenton Beach police officer is recovering after a drunk driver hit him Saturday night, just moments after his shift ended. The crash happened at the intersection of Cortez Road and 75th Street West, a spot plenty of Suncoast drivers pass through every day. Officer Scarry’s patrol car was totaled in the collision, and he was taken to the hospital for a checkup. Lieutenant Lennard Diaz said Scarry came away with bruises and bumps and is doing really good.
The driver was arrested for DUI at the scene. Meanwhile, Scarry opted to take a couple of days off to recover both mentally and physically, and according to Diaz, he could be back at work as soon as tomorrow. It’s a quick turnaround for someone whose cruiser was destroyed over the weekend, and it speaks to the resilience of the men and women who patrol our Gulf Coast beach communities.
This story lands a little heavier here in Suncoast, where so many of us know someone in law enforcement, or drive these same roads to work, to the beach, or to catch a spring training game. A DUI isn’t just a bad decision in the moment, it can upend lives in seconds, and it can happen to anyone, even the people sworn to protect us. Have you ever had a close call with a drunk driver here in Manatee or Sarasota County? Let us know in the comments.
