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Bradenton Beach police officer injured after being hit by suspected drunk driver: BBPD

By
FOX 13 News
Bradenton
Published September 14, 2026 2:11 PM EDT
Published September 14, 2026 2:11 PM EDT
Officer injured after crash with drunk driver
Officer injured after crash with drunk driver

Officer injured after crash with drunk driver

A Bradenton Beach officer is lucky to be alive after he was hit by a drunk driver. It happened Saturday night as the officer headed home from his shift. FOX 13's Blake Devine reports.

The Brief

    • A crash incident sent a Bradenton Beach police officer to the hospital Saturday night after his cruiser was hit by a suspected drunk driver, according to the Bradenton Beach Police Department.
    • Officer "Johnny T" Tsakiri suffered minor scratches and bruising from airbag deployment after finishing his shift, BBPD said.
    • Police arrested the other driver on a DUI charge, while officers confirmed the patrol car was totaled.

BRADENTON, Fla. - A Bradenton Beach police officer was hospitalized after he was hit by a suspected drunk driver Saturday night shortly after finishing his shift, according to the Bradenton Beach Police Department.

Bradenton DUI crash 

What we know:

Officer "Johnny T" Tsakiri, 68, was involved in the crash at the intersection of Cortez Road and 75th Street West, BBPD said.

Courtesy: Bradenton Beach Police Department

The police department said Tsakiri suffered minor scratches and bruising from the deployment of the patrol car’s airbags. He was taken to a hospital and is now recovering at home.

Suspect arrested

Dig deeper:

The driver was identified as 44-year-old Yohendris Pozo Hernandez. 

He was booked into the Manatee County Jail on Sunday.

Hernandez was charged with DUI involving damage to property or another person.

Bradenton Beach police officer injured

What they're saying:

Police said the patrol car was totaled in the crash, but Tsakiri was not seriously injured.

"Fortunately, Ofc. Tsakiri was not badly hurt. However, if his timing had been off by just a few seconds, it could have been much worse. The incident is yet another example of the dangers of drinking and driving," BBPD said.

Courtesy: Bradenton Beach Police Department

Bradenton Beach Police Lt. Lenard Diaz said his fellow officer was fortunate to avoid serious injuries.

"Anytime you get into a crash where all your airbags deploy, and it's almost head-on, and you survive with just a couple scratches and bumps and bruises, you're a very lucky person," he said,

Returning to work

What's next:

Lt. Diaz says Tsakiri hopes to return to work on Wednesday morning.

The Source: Information for this story was provided by the Bradenton Beach Police Department.

BradentonCrime and Public Safety