Florida Woman Arrested After Crashing Truck Into Patrol Vehicle on I-10, Injuring Officer

A Jacksonville police officer was injured after a driver allegedly crashed her pickup truck into a parked patrol vehicle along Interstate 10, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.

The crash occurred Thursday near the Lane Avenue exit on westbound Interstate 10 in Jacksonville, Florida, where the officer had been stationed near a lane closure.

Authorities say the driver was later arrested and faces multiple charges.

According to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, the officer had parked his marked patrol SUV with emergency lights activated near a lane closure to protect road crews and help control traffic.

While the officer remained inside the vehicle, a pickup truck driven by a 29-year-old woman allegedly drove directly into the patrol vehicle.

Officials said the impact was severe.

The collision pushed the pickup truck forward into a separate utility truck parked on the shoulder of the roadway.

The utility vehicle was equipped with an attenuator, a safety device designed to absorb the force of crashes and protect workers during roadside operations.

The officer was transported to a local hospital with minor injuries following the crash.

Authorities said he is expected to make a full recovery.

Crashes involving emergency vehicles can be particularly dangerous because officers are often stationary on the roadway while responding to traffic incidents or protecting construction crews.

Driver Arrested and Facing Charges

The driver, identified by authorities as 29-year-old Cate Kitay, was arrested following the crash.

According to investigators, she faces several charges including:

• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (DUI)
• Three counts of DUI involving property damage and personal injury
• Careless driving

Officials stated that the crash was entirely preventable.

Driving under the influence significantly increases the risk of serious collisions, particularly when drivers fail to notice emergency vehicles or traffic control situations.

The “Move Over” Law and Driver Responsibility

Florida law requires drivers to exercise extreme caution when approaching emergency vehicles stopped along roadways.

Under Florida’s Move Over Law, drivers must:

• Move into a lane farther away from emergency vehicles when possible
• Slow down significantly when lane changes are not possible
• Remain alert for officers, firefighters, and roadside workers

Failure to comply with these safety requirements can lead to serious crashes and legal consequences.

Legal Liability in DUI and Emergency Vehicle Crashes

Crashes involving impaired driving can lead to both criminal charges and civil liability.

Victims injured in these incidents—including law enforcement officers—may have the right to pursue compensation for:

• Medical expenses
• Lost income
• Pain and suffering
• Long-term injuries or disability

When a driver chooses to operate a vehicle while impaired, they may be held financially responsible for the harm caused.

Authorities continue to investigate the crash on Interstate 10 near the Lane Avenue exit in Jacksonville.

Officials are reminding drivers to remain alert when traveling through construction zones or near emergency vehicles stopped on the roadside.

If you or a loved one was involved in a similar accident, contact Flanagan & Bodenheimer Injury and Wrongful Death Law Firm for a free consultation to discuss your legal options.