Local News

HCSO: Man strikes woman with pickup

JOE SEELIG
Published: November 7, 2012

SEBRING - An Avon Park man remained in Highlands County Jail in lieu of $25,000 bond Monday after he was accused of intentionally striking a Sebring woman with his pickup truck.

Leroy "Mann" Benton Jr., 39, of 1887 N. Egret Road, Avon Park, was charged with aggravated battery by a person using a deadly weapon (in this case a Ford F-150).

Sometime between 11:55 p.m. June 10 and 12:05 a.m. June 11, the woman, a 24-year-old, was walking in the vicinity of Green Acre Way, in Sebring, when she saw the Ford pickup approaching a stop sign at the intersection where she was standing, the report stated.

The truck swerved across the roadway, the woman told investigators, prior to reaching the intersection and went onto the grass. The truck's bumper struck her left elbow, the report stated.

"The victim advised me the vehicle came to a stop and she observed a subject called 'Mann' driving the vehicle," the report stated. "The victim believed 'Mann's first name was Leroy but she did not know his last name.

"The victim advised she has had previous issues with 'Mann' and believed his actions were intentional. 'Mann' told the victim he did not mean to hit her but was laughing when he stated this."

She got a license tag number, which investigators traced back to Benton Jr., the report stated.

The woman pursued charges. Deputies did not locate Benton immediately, the report stated.

The sheriff's master name index showed a Leroy Benton Jr., aka "Mann," who had the name "Mann" tattooed on his back in a booking photograph, the report stated.

jseelig@highlandstoday.com (863) 386-5834