News drove onto the Bradenton Herald's doorstep

Laura C. Morel
Crime/Immigration Reporter

The news came to the Bradenton Herald on Friday night -- literally.

At about 9 p.m., a woman driving a gray Taurus crashed into a red Volkswagen heading north on U.S. 41 near Manatee Avenue West.

The Taurus then took off, crossed over the median and drove into the wooded area on the east side of the Bradenton Herald’s property.

The 26-year-old woman got out of her car and fled, said Bradenton police Lt. Josh Cramer. Officers responding to the accident scene searched for the woman, who was located in the 400 block of Third Avenue West.

She had leaves in her hair, Cramer said.

The woman first told authorities she was the passenger in the vehicle, but later admitted she was the driver.

She was arrested and charged with fleeing the scene of an accident and police will conduct a DUI investigation.

The driver of the Volkswagen was taken to Manatee Memorial Hospital, Cramer said.