A Leesburg man was arrested for fleeing the scene of a crash that left two people injured.
Police responded to a hit-and-run in the 400 block of McCormack Street at 11:28 p.m. Saturday, according to an arrest report from the Leesburg Police Department. The victims said they were turning north onto McCormack Street when a speeding black passenger car crashed into the front of their vehicle.
After the collision, 36-year-old Lekendre Renard Hall immediately left the scene. The victims were assessed by responding medical personnel and transported for their injuries. The passenger had a deep laceration on his left hand that required stitches, the report said.
Witnesses confirmed the vehicle’s description and said it sped away without following any traffic rules. One witness attempted to identify the driver as a black woman with long hair, the report said.
Meanwhile, a Lake County sheriff’s deputy spotted a heavily damaged black vehicle fleeing down Lucas Street, the report said. The deputy followed the vehicle down the street to a residence at 1810 Hammock St. Officers made contact with Hall, who claimed a vehicle had crashed into him on Center Street.
Officers attempted to take Hall into custody, but he became irate and refused to get into a patrol vehicle. Hall was given several verbal commands to enter, but he continued resisting. He placed his leg outside of the car to stop the door from being closed while he was sitting in the back seat. Officers had to physically take control and manipulate Hall to get him in the vehicle, the report said.
The report also stated Hall was observed being unable to stand upright and speak coherently. Because of this, he was transported to UF Health-Leesburg Hospital. He continued to show signs of impairment, including slurred speech, staggering, watery eyes and the inability to keep his eyes open. Hall refused to submit to a breath test and only admitted to fleeing the scene of the accident.
Hall was transported to the Lake County Jail after completing his medical evaluation. He was charged with driving under influence, fleeing the scene of a crash and resisting arrest. He was also charged with two counts of refusal to sign a citation because he was argumentative while officers tried to issue a citation. Hall was released after posting $8,000 bond.
He was arrested in April of last year for driving with a suspended license.
