Man lying in parking lot run over, killed by deputy who didn’t see him

FANNING SPRINGS, Fla. (WCJB/Gray News) - A man in Florida died after officials said a deputy ran over him while he was lying on the ground in a dark parking lot early Monday morning.

The Gilchrist County Sheriff’s Office and Florida Highway Patrol said the deputy was patrolling near the Capital City Bank in Fanning Springs just after 1 a.m.

Officials said the pedestrian was a 41-year-old from Bronson who was lying in a dark part of the parking lot.

As the deputy drove through the parking lot, he did not see the man lying on the ground and hit him.

Nearby residents said homeless people often sleep near the bank at night.

“It’s hard to believe,” resident Jeff Johnson said. “It’s really hard to believe that a man was lying there, passed out, and a cop runs him over. I don’t understand that. How did he do that?”

Officials have not yet clarified exactly where in the parking lot the pedestrian was hit.

Residents have noted that there are lights in the area.

Officials have yet to clarify exactly where in the parking lot the pedestrian was hit. Residents note that there are lights in the area.

“Things like that don’t happen here too often, so I’m sure he is going to have to be held accountable,” resident Gary Vertrees said.

The Gilchrist County Fire rescue was sent to the scene, where they pronounced the victim dead.

Florida Highway Patrol troopers are investigating the cause of the crash.

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