City police officer struck by passing car

St Johns County Sheriff’s Office Corporal, Catherine Payne, reported to Historic City News that 44-year-old St Augustine Police Sergeant, Richard Warner, was struck by a passing vehicle on South Whitney Street which sent the officer to the hospital with serious injuries.

Traffic Homicide Investigators were dispatched to the scene at 6:30 p.m., Friday night, Payne said. Warner was off-duty at the time of the incident.

According to the report, 33-year-old Travis Benjamin Chidester, who resides at 550 Anderson Street in St Augustine, was traveling northbound on South Whitney Street in his 2004 KIA, when he struck Warner, who was jogging.

St Johns County Fire Rescue stabilized Warner at the scene for transportation to Flagler Hospital. Due to the serious nature of the injuries sustained in the crash, Warner was later transferred to Shands Jacksonville Medical Center.

Investigators have not yet determined the cause of the crash; there has been no word on whether or not alcohol or speed played a role, according to Payne. Charges, if any, were not announced pending the conclusion of the investigation and improvement in Warner’s condition.

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