Woman struck by vehicle on Lido Beach

A woman has been released from the hospital after she was struck in the head by a construction vehicle on Lido Beach Thursday evening.

According to a release from the Sarasota Police Department, Brooke Jensen was lying on the beach when a front-end loader, being used as part of a beach renourishment project, got too close to her and hit her in the head.

This week, the city is wrapping up a two-month shoreline renourishment project, which placed additional sand along 1.8 miles of Lido Beach. Crews were on the beach to till the new sand one last time before the project was complete.

Officers responded to the scene at about 5:30 p.m., and the woman was transported via ambulance to Sarasota Memorial Hospital before being released that night.

According to the SPD, it is still unknown whether charges will be brought against the driver, Jay Rackley, an employee with a Tampa-based contractor. The investigation is still ongoing, and anyone with information regarding the incident is encouraged to contact Officer William Johnson at 366-8000, extension 7868.