Woman Taken Into Custody For Hit-And-Run After Rubbing Vehicle Against A Tree | Carscoops

      The unfortunate woman claims she is unable to eat or sleep well after being placed in a jail cell.

      According to Florida law, damaging a tree on private property can lead to up to six months of imprisonment.

      Authorities state that Yanelly Guzman should have left her contact information on a note attached to the tree.

      Although the hit-and-run charge has been dropped, Guzman faces legal expenses amounting to thousands.

      Regardless of your driving experience, it’s likely that you’ve had a minor incident with a pole in a parking lot, the side of your garage, or—if you were particularly unlucky—another car. However, for one woman in Cape Coral, Florida, a recent encounter with a tree while parking resulted in her arrest and a hit-and-run charge, showcasing what may be one of the most absurd overreactions by law enforcement in recent times.

      The event occurred on Christmas Eve while Yanelly Guzman was parking prior to her shift at T.J. Maxx. As she maneuvered into a parking space, she felt unexpected pressure on the roof of her Toyota RAV4. After backing out, she realized her A-pillar had brushed against a low-hanging tree branch, an annoying incident that is likely a common experience for many.

      Her coworkers suggested she contact the Cape Coral Police Department to file an insurance claim for the damages. In a scenario that sounds like a skit from Saturday Night Live, an officer reportedly informed Guzman that she should have left her name, car registration number, and phone number attached to the tree. Yes, it’s true.

      From Minor Accident to Arrest

      In keeping with Florida's tendency to make the news for unusual reasons, this small mishap escalated into an actual arrest. The officer detained Guzman on site, charging her with hit-and-run. She was booked into jail and released only after posting $150 bail. However, this was merely the start of her troubles.

      In an interview with WECT 6, Guzman shared that she is struggling to eat or sleep properly following the distressing incident. Additionally, she must pay approximately $4,300 for legal fees and repairs to her RAV4.

      Fortunately, reason eventually triumphed. The state attorney's office dismissed the charges after finding no evidence that she had actually hit the tree. Strangely, in Florida, hitting a tree on private property and leaving the scene can lead to a potential six-month prison sentence.

      “I would just cry endlessly because I’m a person who has never been in trouble,” Guzman told WECT 6. “I don’t believe what they did to me was fair. They turned my life upside down. I can’t eat properly. I can’t sleep well. I know many police officers are wonderful people, but I’m scared. That’s how I currently feel.”

      What’s the takeaway from this? If you happen to lightly brush against a tree in Florida, it’s best to treat it as if it were a serious crime scene. Set up barriers, summon a forensic team, or even hold a candlelight vigil for the affected branch. As a precaution, you might want to tape a confession to the trunk, preferably notarized. Otherwise, you could end up explaining to a judge why you “fled the scene” of a botanical hit-and-run.

      H/T to The Autopian!