Deputy Sapp injured in morning mishap

A 40-year-old Franklin County deputy sheriff is recuperating at home after suffering injuries in an early morning collision Friday in St. Teresa.

Anthony W. Sapp, 40, of Carrabelle, was the only individual hurt in the 12:30 a.m. mishap on June 19, on U.S. 98, west of the fork at U.S. 319, near the former location of Lorenzo's Restaurant.

"He has some cuts and bruises, a possible fractured collarbone, but he was released from Tallahasee Memorial Hospital and is at home," said Undersherriff Joel Norred.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol's media release, Sapp was driving his patrol car, a 2005 Dodge Durango, eastbound on U.S. 98 and following behind a Carrabelle Police Department patrol car. Both vehicles were en route to a call for service.

According to Norred, the two cars were responding to a complaint in St. Teresa of possible gunshots.

As they rushed to the scene, the Carrabelle officer received a call of suicide threats in Carrabelle, and slowed his vehicle. Sapp then swerved to avoid hitting the Carrabelle patrol car, Norred said.

Trooper Charles Cook wrote that Sapp's vehicle left the roadway onto the north shoulder of U.S. 98. The front left of the vehicle hit a tree, and continued eastbound on the shoulder before entering a culvert and becoming airborne.

Sapp's vehicle then rotated upside down and counter-clockwise, before the front of it hit a dirt embankment before stopping in the north shoulder the road, upside down in a culvert.

Sapp was wearing his seatbelt, alcohol was not involved in the crash and no charges are pending, according to the report.

Damage to the vehicle was estimated by FHP at $8,000, although Norred said it appears to be totaled. "He's a lucky man," Norred said.