A St. Petersburg man was arrested early Thursday morning, April 10, 2025, following a crash in an active construction zone on I-75 that injured a Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) Corporal.
According to FHP, the crash occurred in Hillsborough County at approximately 2:48 a.m. near Milepost 254 in the northbound lanes of I-75. A Chevy Blazer, driven by 50-year-old Vaughn Charles Donaldson, entered a clearly marked work zone and struck the rear of a stationary FHP patrol vehicle. The area was identified with arrow boards, signage, and retro-reflective orange cones. The patrol vehicle, a marked Chevy Tahoe, had its emergency lights activated at the time.
The collision caused disabling damage to both vehicles. The FHP Corporal inside the patrol car sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to a local hospital. Donaldson also sustained minor injuries, was transported to a hospital, and later released.
Following his release, Donaldson was arrested by FHP Troopers and charged with DUI, DUI with Property Damage, and DUI with Personal Injury.
