Being in an accident on the highway can be a scary thing because the threat to your life is very substantial. But, that did not deter 47-year-old Master Trooper, Toni Schuck. She knew that many lives were at stake and so she did what she had to in order to save the runners. As a result, no runners were injured or killed. Schuck is a hero in my book. Any time you risk your life to save others, it reflects raw courage.
Police said 52-year-old Kristen Kay Watts went around roadblocks and police officers and drove into the path of runners participating in the annual Skyway 10k race. They say she was traveling at high speeds.
Trooper Ken Watson said:
“This driver had blown past several checkpoints, going around traffic cones, going around other officers and had engaged in high speeds.”
“There’s no telling what would have happened had that vehicle actually reached all of those runners. The bottom line is these troopers saved dozens upon dozens of lives and saved even more people from serious bodily harm injury.”
Schuck was hospitalized with serious injuries, including a concussion and a head wound. Watts was also hospitalized for less serious injuries. Put yourself in Schuck’s position and be honest about this. Would you risk your life to stop the drunk driver? I have given this much thought. I would like to think I would, but honestly, I don’t know. It’s one of those things that you would have to face to really know.
Watts was wheeled into court on Monday where she told the court that she was unemployed and living on money from a lawsuit.
The troopers said they didn’t believe that Watts was purposely trying to hit the runners. None of the runners were injured.
Watts is charged with DUI-serious injury, two counts of DUI-property damage, and two counts of reckless driving involving injury and property damage. She was booked on a $52,000 bond into Manatee County Jail.
Shuck has worked in law enforcement for 26 years.
“For this trooper to risk her life to make sure that others will be okay is the epitome of what service is all about,” said Watson.
Here is the shocking video: