United States (Florida) - A Marianna resident was detained by Calhoun County authorities Christmas Eve after he struck a fireman and a fire truck, and then fled the scene. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Richard F. Bouch II, 29, was driving south on County Road 167 in Calhoun County at 12:13 a.m. when he came upon several emergency vehicles parked in the northbound lane with their emergency lights on.

The emergency crews were attending to an injured driver from a previous accident

According to the highway patrol, Bouch "drove upon the scene too fast" and veered left to avoid rear-ending a Toyota pickup truck in front of him. In doing so, he struck William L. Truax, 45, of Altha, a fireman who was in the northbound lane directing traffic.

Bouch then struck the left rear side of a parked fire truck, and then veered back and hit the Toyota pickup he had earlier swerved to avoid.

According to the highway patrol, Bouch fled the scene and was pulled over on Lake Point Road in Jackson County, by Calhoun County deputies who had pursued him from the scene.

Florida Highway Patrol reports Truax received minor injuries and was not transported for medical attention.

The highway patrol report did not state what Bouch was charged with; but the report did state that alcohol was a factor.

Bouch's Dodge Charger sustained $1,500 in damage. Highway patrol put the damage to the fire truck at $800, and the damage to the Toyota pickup at $2,000.

Written by Jackson County Floridan