Tampa Police have recently made an arrest in connection with an August hit and run that left a bicyclist severely injured. Chief Lee Bercaw expressed hope that the arrest would bring some measure of justice to the victim, commending the collaborative efforts of the Tampa Police and the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. "Hopefully, this will arrest will provide the man left injured with a sense of justice," Tampa government's news release quoted Bercaw as saying.
On the morning of August 27, authorities began their investigation after a silver Chevy Equinox, driven by Derrick Bass, struck a bicyclist on Dale Mabry Highway near Mango Avenue. The injured party, an adult male in his late 40s, faced critical injuries requiring hospital care but has been released and is in recovery. The vehicle involved was later found unoccupied and impounded on E. 12th Ave., which police note was key evidence in their case.
Detectives conducting the follow-up investigation gathered sufficient evidence and leads to pinpoint Bass as responsible at the time of the accident. Resultingly, a warrant for his arrest was issued on the grounds of leaving the scene and driving with a cancelled or suspended license, amongst other charges. Bass, 33, was apprehended on September 8 without incident at a location on N 56th St., and is currently being held at the Orient Road Jail.
In addition to charges of Leaving the Scene of a Crash with Serious Bodily Injury; and Driving While License Canceled, Suspended or Revoked (Death or Serious Bodily Injury), Bass faces two counts for Violation of Probation. According to the news release from the City of Tampa, the arrest occurred seamlessly thanks to the efficiency of the deputies from the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office.
