On the morning of August 25, a traffic collision on Fruitville Road near Tuttle Road in Sarasota resulted in Circuit Judge Thomas Krugg being cited for careless driving and for failing to give required information after leaving the scene.
What happened
A witness reported that a blue BMW struck a black Kia Forte and then drove away. The driver of the Kia flagged down a nearby police officer to report the crash. Surveillance video from a nearby business and a dash‑camera recording from another motorist identified the BMW’s driver as Judge Krugg, who serves the 12th Judicial Circuit of Florida, which covers Sarasota, Manatee and DeSoto counties.
Judge’s explanation
When police investigators spoke with Krugg, he said he was attempting to merge into the middle lane when he noticed a car in his path. He claimed he slammed on his brakes, swerved left, and assumed that if anyone had been hit the other driver would have pulled over. Because no vehicle stopped, Krugg concluded that no one was injured and continued on his way.
Police findings
Investigators noted damage to the passenger‑side fender of Krugg’s BMW that matched the damage observed on the Kia Forte. Based on the video evidence, the witness statement and the physical damage, officers issued Krugg two citations: one for careless driving and another for failure to provide required information after an accident. The investigation was closed pending any new information.
Community impact
This incident underscores the importance of holding all drivers, including public officials, accountable for traffic safety laws. Local residents rely on judges and other officials to model responsible behavior on the road, especially in a growing area like Sarasota where traffic volumes have increased in recent years.
Next steps
Should additional evidence emerge, the Sarasota Police Department may reopen the case. In the meantime, the citations serve as a reminder that Florida’s traffic statutes apply equally to everyone, regardless of position or title.
Original reporting: Tampa Bay Florida News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
