The spike in hit and run accidents in Douglas hasn’t ended yet, according to a report from the Douglas Police Department. On July 18, 2024, another such crash was reported at North Madison Avenue and McNeil Drive.
Involved were a 2019 Ford Fusion driven by Cara Lott and a 2021 Chevrolet Malibu driven by Suzie Bertagnolli. The report states that around 6:15 p.m., Lott was driving the Fusion north on North Madison Avenue when she was struck on the right side of her vehicle by the Malibu as she was moving into the left turning lane. Lott complained of injuries and was taken to CRMC by ambulance.
A witness stated that she saw the Malibu pull out of the Dollar General parking lot onto Madison Avenue and strike Lott’s vehicle, the report says. The Malibu spun around and took off headed south on North Madison — the wrong way on a one-way. The witness added that the Malibu nearly hit several other vehicles as it traveled south in the wrong direction.
Officers located the Malibu and Bertagnolli at another location. She was arrested and charged with failure to yield, going the wrong way on a one-way, hit and run, driving without a valid license, and criminal trespass. She was transported to the Coffee County Jail and later released on bond.