Sheriff's vehicle crashes on East County roadway

A Manatee County Sheriff's deputy crashed his vehicle along Morgan Johnson Road early this morning while trying to avoid a possum that was in the middle of the road.

A sheriff's office report states the deputy was traveling north in the 800 block of Morgan Johnson when he served to avoid hitting a possum. The deputy swerved to the left and then overcorrected on a wet road, the report states.

The deputy lost control of the vehicle, which went into a ditch and struck a cement culvert, causing the airbag to deploy. The back of the vehicle struck a wooden fence, causing damage to the car.

Damages to the patrol vehicle, which was towed from the scene, are estimated at 8,000. Damages to the fence are estimated at $450.

The deputy sustained minor injuries and was treated at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center.

Contact Pam Eubanks at [email protected].