Trooper, pedestrian injured in Sandestin Blvd. accident

SANDESTIN, Fla. (WALA) - The Florida Highway Patrol said a drunk driver hit a pedestrian and state trooper as the trooper administered a field sobriety test on Friday night.

The FHP said 34-year-old Raul Sivas of Niceville struck State Trooper Lester Abreu's patrol car on Sandestin Blvd., and pushed it into both Eddy Hardy and Abreu around 11 p.m. Friday.

Sivas was arrested and charged with DUI with serious bodily injury, habitual driving with a suspended or revoked license and failure to use due care.

Hardy and Abreu were transported to Sacred Heart Hospital to be treated for injuries. Officials said the trooper had minor injuries, but Hardy’s were critical.

Officials said the trooper’s vehicle’s emergency lights were activated, as well as those of a Walton County deputy who was on the scene, while Abreu conducted field sobriety exercises on Hardy, who had been involved in a crash at that spot.

Sivas’ Jeep Cherokee was totaled when it struck the back of the FHP patrol car, pushing it into the trooper and Hardy.

Officials have not released whether Sivas or his passenger were wearing a seatbelt at the time.