Florida

Officials: Lakeland Police Officer Fell Asleep Before Flipping Patrol Car

What to Know

  • The Florida Highway Patrol says 32-year-old Camilo Almeida was passing through an intersection when he lost control.
  • Police spokesman Gary Gross says Almeida had just worked a 12-hour shift the previous night.

Authorities say Florida police officer flipped his patrol car last month because he fell asleep while driving.

The Lakeland Ledger reports that the Lakeland Police Department released its finding Thursday for the July 13 crash.

The Florida Highway Patrol says 32-year-old Camilo Almeida was passing through an intersection when he lost control, entered the road's shoulder, hit a culvert and overturned. Almeida was hospitalized with minor injuries, and the cruiser was totaled.

Police spokesman Gary Gross says Almeida had just worked a 12-hour shift the previous night and had trouble sleeping because he was thinking about a shooting involving another officer.

A review board found the accident to be preventable. It wasn't immediately known whether Almeida would face discipline.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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