Florida starting center victim of alleged hit-and-run while riding his scooter

Florida’s starting center from last year, offensive lineman T.J. McCoy, was the victim of a hit-and-run while riding his scooter early Friday morning in Gainesville, Fla. According to the Gainesville Sun, McCoy and his girlfriend were hit and thrown off the scooter around 3 a.m. The driver of the vehicle, alleged to be intoxicated, then reportedly fled from the scene, but was found and arrested shortly after. SB Nation is keeping the name of driver arrested redacted.

[Driver] was arrested around the 100 block of NW 20th Drive after fleeing the scene of the crash. Her vehicle had a broken windshield and noticeable damage to the hood and front bumper, according to the report.

The driver told police that she consumed alcohol at a bar just off of campus two hours prior to the incident.

Police reported [the driver] failed all five parts of the field sobriety test, and had a measured blood-alcohol level of 0.19. [Driver] was charged with two counts of driving under the influence with damage to a person or property.

OnlyGators.com reported that McCoy was hospitalized “at least” overnight following the accident. McCoy’s father posted to Facebook about the incident

T.J. “had been in a hit and run accident and was found on the side of the road. It turned out that a drunk driver hit TJ and his girlfriend at a stop light after they left the library and fled the scene.”

On Saturday, T.J. McCoy shared via Twitter that he suffered no serious injuries and plans to attend church with his family on Sunday.

“I thank God that my girlfriend, myself and the person that hit us were not seriously injured,” he wrote. “I’m alive, I have no broken bones or fractures. I do have road burns and I’m a little sore, but I’m resting and getting stronger.”

Scooters, which are extremely common on the University of Florida’s campus, have been involved with a Florida offensive lineman’s injury before. In 2013, Florida starting offensive tackle Tyler Moore broke his elbow during a scooter accident.

McCoy transferred to Florida from N.C. State in the summer of 2015, to be close to his father Tony, a former All-SEC defensive tackle for Florida in the 90s. Tony’s battle with leukemia spurred the transfer decision.

The Sentinel reports that the elder McCoy’s cancer is in remission, but his post-chemo treatment, which includes regular trips to Florida’s Shands Hospital in Gainesville, is apparently draining:

“When I came home and I saw my dad’s condition, I thought to myself, ‘I have to be home. I have to be closer to him to help out,’” T.J. McCoy said via the Orlando Sentinel. “When I saw him at home and saw how he was hurting and struggling, I knew I just had to be home and help out.”

Last year, McCoy appeared in seven games and made four starts at center in the final games of the season.