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Highlands Today

Police officer injured in weekend traffic accident

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By BRAD DICKERSON

Highlands Today

Published: June 10, 2009

SEBRING - Sebring Police Department K-9 Officer Bret Hinkle is still not back on duty after being involved in a two-vehicle traffic accident Saturday evening.

"He's recovering," said Cmdr. Steve Carr. "He's sore."

Hinkle, 22, was southbound on U.S. 27 near Flare Road when he saw several people and vehicles on the side of the road in what appeared to be a traffic accident, according to a police report.

The officer turned on his patrol car lights and started slowing down to change lanes. A southbound van driven by Steven Stapp, 66, of Winter Park, reportedly failed to yield to Hinkle and struck the back of the officer's car.

Hinkle's head hit the metal cage that is used to separate the front seat from the back seats. He suffered three separate lacerations on the back of his head that required six staples, the report stated.

Carr said the department's K-9 unit, Fea, was also in the car at the time of the accident. The dog was not seriously hurt, but has been moving slower, according to the commander.

Stapp was given a citation for careless driving.

Highlands Today reporter Brad Dickerson can be reached at 863-386-5838 or bdickerson@highlandstoday.com.

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