LADY LAKE, Fla. — A Lake County deputy has been hospitalized after he was struck by a vehicle just before dawn Wednesday morning according to reports.
Deputy Austin Pringle was headed home at the end of his shift at approximately 6:15 a.m. when a call came over the radio in reference to an attempted vehicle burglary in Lady Lake stating the suspects fled on foot.
Pringle decided to investigate the incident before going home and began traveling down Grays Airport Road when he saw a man walking down the street.
Pringle stopped the man to question him and determine if he was involved. While questioning the man, they were both struck by a 2013 Chevy Camaro.
Deputy Pringle suffered a head injury and was airlifted to Orlando Regional Medical Center where he is currently in stable condition.
The man, who has been identified as 22-year-old Leesburg resident Cerontae Hodge, suffered an injury to his leg and was transported to Leesburg Regional Medical Center.
Hodge told deputies that just before the vehicle struck them, Pringle attempted to push him out of the path of the vehicle.
The driver of the Camaro, 53-year-old Kim Johnson, told investigators that she saw the headlights of Pringle’s vehicle and slowed down but did not know it was a police car and did not see the two men standing on the side of the road.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol report, no alcohol was involved.
Investigators with the Florida Highway Patrol are investigating this incident while deputies investigate the attempted vehicle burglary.
No charges are pending at this time.
27-year-old Deputy Pringle has been a member of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office since November 2016.
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