WINTER HAVEN, Fla. — A woman was arrested after Winter Haven police say she turned herself in for hitting a police cruiser three times before taking off from the scene.
The department announced Wednesday that 44-year-old Tiffany Rodriquez turned herself in following the crash that took place on Saturday.
Officials say a police sergeant was hit from behind while stopped at a red light on Cypress Gardens Boulevard and 9th Street SE at about 8:40 p.m.
The driver took off before the sergeant could get out of the car, according to a news release. Initially, the driver was described as a white man, but also noted there was also a female passenger in the car.
Investigators say they were able to identify Rodriquez using surveillance footage in downtown from the night of the crash that allegedly showed her parking a white Ford Mustang SUV before visiting nearby bars.
Police say she was seen entering the driver's side of the vehicle at around 8:30 p.m.
Officers and deputies from the Polk County Sheriff's Office were able to find the car at a house in the Lake Dexter area. Law enforcement saw it had damage to the front and back that was consistent with the incident.
Law enforcement then questioned Rodriquez at the home and asked if she was by herself, since officials initially thought it was a man driving the car.
In bodycam footage, Rodriquez allegedly stated, "there was nobody with me." When asked if she was by herself, she reportedly responded saying, "Absolutely!"
Rodriquez is charged with leaving the scene of a crash with property damage and also issued a citation.
