EUSTIS, Fla.—Two 9-1-1 calls made following the hit-and-run crash that injured a pedestrian in Eustis Monday night have been released.
The calls made by two different people are difficult to listen to because both callers are emotional as they report the tragic situation. Stacey Hatcher, a Lake County Schools bus driver, found Abigail Stevens, 32, lying in the road on West Lakeview Avenue near Morin Street around 9 p.m. Monday night. Hatcher told Inside Lake in an exclusive interview Wednesday, God and fate put her in the right place at the right time.
Hatcher had just dropped off members of the Eustis High School Band at EHS, along with a second bus, and both drivers were headed to return the buses to the bus lot off Kurt Street when she found Stevens and called 9-1-1. Hatcher used her bus to shield Stevens from oncoming traffic, likely preventing her from getting hit by another vehicle and saving her life.
Listen to both 9-1-1 calls below:
“No way I would have let traffic through,” Hatcher said Wednesday. “Whoever hit her had to run her over or drag her. She was in bad shape.” Hatcher told Inside Lake, vehicles were trying to go around her and drivers were honking their horns—horns can be heard in the background of one of the 9-1-1 calls.
The community and Eustis Police Chief Craig Capri were quick call to Hatcher a hero.
“Mrs. (Stacey) Hatcher’s actions very likely saved a human life Monday,” Capri told Inside Lake.
At press time Thursday, Stevens remained hospitalized in stable condition, according to EPD Capt. Jon Fahning. Police are continuing to investigate and believe a white car may be involved. If you have information, call EPD at 352-357-4121.
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