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Man Running From Polk Deputy Fatally Struck By Truck

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TBO.com

Published: March 16, 2009

Dontai Brinson

Christopher Green

Randy Wilson

A man running from a Polk County deputy was killed Sunday night, when he was struck by a vehicle while trying to dash across U.S. 27.

The Polk County Sheriff's Office said Dontai Deon Brinson, 25, of Bartow, was hit by a Ford Ranger about 11:30 p.m. Sunday while running from Sgt. Ed Moran, who was trying to arrest him outside a convenience store.

The incident started when Moran spotted three men entering the store at U.S. 27 and Washington Avenue in Lake Wales, the sheriff's office said. Two came out and got into a car parked near the front door.

Brinson came out seconds later, chased by the store's owner who was yelling Brinson had stolen something, the sheriff's office said.

Brinson and Moran struggled, and the deputy fired his Taser, but the probes failed to make contact, the sheriff's office said. Brinson then punched Moran in the face and ran away, the sheriff's office said.

Brinson made it across the southbound lanes of U.S. 27 when Moran saw the approaching Ford Ranger and shouted a warning, the sheriff's office said.

Brinson ran into the side of the truck driven by Thomas Kent of Frostproof. The mirror and frame of the vehicle hit Brinson in the head, and he died at the scene, the sheriff's office said.

Deputies are searching for the two men in the car who drove away while Moran and Brinson fought. The sheriff's office identified them as Randy O. Wilson, 25, and Christopher G. Green, 42.

An autopsy will be conducted today, the sheriff's office said.

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