A Leesburg woman suffered minor injuries in a crash involving an Apopka police officer and an unlicensed driver on Tuesday in Orange County.
Margarito Hernandez, 31, of Orlando was driving a 2008 Chevy Impala westbound on Orange Blossom Trail in the left turn lane approaching Central Avenue while 50-year-old Leslie Cochran of Leesburg was in a 2017 Honda Civic in front of Hernandez’s vehicle, according to a Florida Highway Patrol accident report. An Apopka police officer was in his patrol car traveling eastbound on Orange Blossom Trail in the left through lane. As Hernandez approached Cochran’s vehicle, Hernandez failed to slow down, striking the rear of Cochran’s vehicle. Hernandez then traveled around Cochran’s vehicle and attempted to make a left turn onto Central Avenue, but pulled into the direct path of the police officer’s vehicle. The police officer was unable to avoid Hernandez’s vehicle and a collision occurred.
Hernandez was transported to Orlando Regional Medical Center with serious injuries, while Cochran was transported to Florida Hospital Apopka with minor injuries.
Hernandez was ticketed on charges of careless driving and no valid driver’s license. He has never obtained a driver’s license, the report noted.
