[PHOTO CREDIT: iStock / SHSPhotography]
[Original Publish Date: 11/12/19]
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CLERMONT, Florida – A man who police say had a blood alcohol content three times the legal limit rear-ended a vehicle, then tried to bribe the driver and struck him with his own vehicle as he fled the scene.
Clermont Police responded to a report of a crash involving a driver attempting to bribe another driver not to call police at 7:39 p.m. Monday at North Hancock Road and State Road 50. As the arresting officer arrived on scene, he saw a man standing on the middle of North Hancock Road, waving his arms at a white Toyota performing an illegal U-turn, according to the arrest affidavit. The officer activated his lights and sirens and attempted to pull the Toyota over but it fled and the officer turned off his emergency lights and returned to the crash scene.
The victim told police, the man who hit him, later identified as Raymond Fazal Osman, 60, attempted to bribe him not to call police after he rear-ended him. The victim said Osman appeared to be drunk and slurred his words. Osman then got back into his Toyota and began to leave the scene. The victim began waving in his arms in attempt to get Osman to stop; and the Toyota hit him, causing him to land on the hood of the vehicle. Osman continued to drive with the victim on the hood until the victim was able to jump off, according to the affidavit. The victim began to wave his arms again and Osman took off.
The arresting officer ran the tag of the Toyota and found it was registered to Osman, who was also recognized by another responding Clermont Police officer. The officer went to Osman’s home and found a white Toyota with damage consistent with the crash. Osman, who was sitting in the garage, spontaneously uttered, “he did not hit that truck,” stated the affidavit. Osman smelled of alcohol and was unsteady on his feet, the officer noted. Osman told the officer it was possible he hit a vehicle, but he did not try to bribe anyone. Osman stated he tried to go home but the other driver kept waving him down. Osman said he did not hit the other driver, an could not explain the handprints on his hood, but they were not his own.
Osman was charged with DUI with property damage, fleeing and eluding, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and leaving the scene of a crash with injury. He was taken to the Lake County Jail where he was given a breathalyzer test. He blew a .322 at 10:22 p.m. and a .321 three minutes later.
He is being held at the Lake County Jail on $27,000 bond.
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Our Editor-in-Chief, Marilyn M. Aciego, began writing for Lake Legal News in 2010. In addition, she has made more than two dozen appearances on live national television, including Nancy Grace and the Greta Van Susteren show, along with her appearance on Evil Twins. Contact her with breaking news, tips, and feedback by sending an e-mail to 352Tips@gmail.com. You can also contact us on our Facebook page — and make sure you “Like” and “Follow us” there. [PHOTO CREDIT: Bonnie Whicher]
