Speeding car goes airborne, launches into roof of Manatee County fire station, FHP says  

A Sarasota man was critically injured after his speeding car launched into the air, hit a tree and crashed into the roof of a fire station in the University Park area of Manatee County, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

The accident happened just before 6 a.m. Sunday. Troopers say that a 41-year-old Sarasota man was speeding north on Honore Avenue in a 2011 Kia Optima. As the sedan approached a curve, it left the roadway and hit a concrete culvert.

The vehicle then went airborne, according to FHP. The flying Kia smacked a palm tree before crashing into the roof and side wall of the Southern Manatee Fire & Rescue station at 7301 Honore Ave.

The mangled sedan landed in an upright position on the ground near the fire station, according to FHP.

No one inside of the station was injured, according to Southern Manatee Fire & Rescue Chief Brian Gorsky. Paramedics from the station, which provides advanced life support services, immediately went to the aid of the driver and removed him from the car. They provided care until the man was taken to Sarasota Memorial Hospital’s trauma center.

The man was still in critical condition at last update, according to FHP.

While damage to the building was significant, Gorski said that Manatee County inspectors deemed the structure safe to continue using.

The fire department was awaiting an appraiser’s visit to assess the cost of repairs.

Investigators say that a second vehicle may have also been involved in the crash. The vehicle, which troopers say was red, may have driven off of Honore Avenue and crashed into a warning light signal before leaving the scene.

Anyone who has information about the crash can contact Florida Highway Patrol by dialing *FHP on any mobile device or Crime Stoppers of Manatee County at 866-634-TIPS or manateecrimestoppers.com.

This story was originally published December 20, 2020 at 8:20 PM.