After spending decades serving patients, a doctor left one man for dead. What consequences will a Tampa man face for leaving the scene after fatally hitting a man in a wheelchair with his vehicle?
A Hit and Run
In the early evening on October 12, 2024, Gwyn Norman Crump Jr., 62, a licensed physician, was driving his Ford F-250 pickup truck on East 124th Avenue in a Tampa neighborhood east of the University of South Florida.
At the same time, Richard Taylor, 55, was moving along the side of the street in a wheelchair. At around 7:35 p.m., the two men collided. When Crump’s pickup truck hit Taylor, the physician, who is licensed in Florida and North Carolina and practices occupational, preventative and family medicine, didn’t stop.
Taylor was injured and taken to AdventHealth Tampa where he later died from his injuries, per reporting by the Tampa Bay Times. Crump fled the scene.
Related: Injured in a Car Accident? Here’s What You Need to Do Right Away.
The Evidence
Crump attempted to leave the scene unnoticed, but authorities quickly connected him to the accident.
According to a new release issued by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, several witnesses saw the hit-and-run and gave a description of Crump’s pickup truck. An HCSO Real Time Crime Center camera also picked up footage of the accident. Authorities were able to use the witness accounts and footage to identify the vehicle tag registered to Crump’s wife.
When police arrived at Crump’s residence on Davis Islands, Crump admitted that he had been driving, but he didn’t not say he had been in an accident. Police later found his truck parked on the fifth-floor garage of a condominium building at the corner of Bayshore Boulevard and Platt Street. The truck had front-end damage.
Related: If You’re Arrested for a Crime, Immediately Take These 6 Steps
The Charges & Potential Consequences
Crump was arrested and charged with leaving the scene of a crash with death.
Under Florida Statute 316.062, drivers are required to stop, give information, and render aid if involved in a traffic accident that causes injury. It states, “The driver of a vehicle involved in a crash occurring on public or private property which results in injury to a person other than serious bodily injury shall immediately stop the vehicle at the scene of the crash, or as close thereto as possible, and shall remain at the scene of the crash until he or she has fulfilled the requirements.”
Failure to adhere to the law comes with serious consequences. Leaving the scene after an accident that leads to death is classified as a first-degree felony. It carries potential penalties of license revocation, a $10,000 fine, up to 30 years of probation, and up to 30 years in prison.
If the driver is found to have been driving under the influence, the consequences may increase. According to reporting by FOX 59, Crump was previously charged with DUI in 1996 and again in 2003, but at this time, there is no evidence that he was driving under the influence when he hit and killed Taylor.
Related: Stopped and Arrested for a DUI in Florida? Here’s What to Do Next
What To Do If You’re In a Traffic Accident
Being in a traffic accident is an upsetting experience. You may be in shock or physically injured after a collision, but it is imperative that you take the proper steps to protect yourself after an accident.
If you are in a traffic accident, never flee the scene. First, stop the car and check yourself and your passengers for injuries. Next, check on the other party involved. If anyone is injured, call 911, request an ambulance, and stay on the scene until help arrives.
Even if no one is hurt in the accident, you still need to stop and collect and share information after the incident. You are required by law to share your name, address, vehicle registration information, and driver’s license information if someone has been injured. You also need to gather information to protect yourself even if no one is injured.
Gathering information after an accident will help you:
- Prove damages to insurance companies
- Determine and prove fault in the accident
- Provide defense in the event that you are sued or charged after the accident
- Provide evidence in the event that you sue another party after the accident
Being in a car accident can lead to both serious injuries and serious legal consequences. Take the moments after the incident seriously, and contact an auto accident attorney or a personal injury attorney right away to help guide you through the aftermath.
Related: 5 Reasons to Contact a Car Accident Lawyer After a Crash
Talk to an Experienced Auto Accident Attorney Today
If you have been involved in an auto accident, get professional advice to protect yourself and your interests. An experienced attorney knows what you need to do to prevent unwarranted claims and to get full benefits from your insurance company. To discuss the details of an auto accident, talk to attorney TJ Grimaldi today. Request your free consultation or call 813-226-1023.
TJ Grimaldi joined McIntyre in 2011. McIntyre recruited TJ to create the divisions of personal injury and family law, as well as to expand the existing criminal defense practice at the firm. During TJ’s tenure at McIntyre, he has helped oversee and grow these practice areas. He continues to practice in these divisions while also expanding his own practice areas to include estate planning and immigration law. TJ is admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of Florida and the United States District Court for the Middle and Southern Districts of Florida.
