Sarasota man arrested after alleged hit-and-run argument over gas money

SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) - Sarasota Police have arrested 60-year-old Kurtis Wayne Freeman for a hit and run that happened on Tuesday evening in the 2900 block of North Links Avenue. Freeman is charged with aggravated battery on a person with a deadly weapon.

According to witnesses, a blue vehicle ran over a male who was “sleeping”. The vehicle then left the area turning south on Links Avenue. Ring video surveillance from a resident in the area captured the incident, placing Freeman’s vehicle at the scene. Based on the information, Sarasota Police was able to run a check for the vehicle, which came up as a 2003 Acura linked to Freeman.

In a recorded statement given by the victim, Freedom picked him up in the area of Myrtle Street near Wawa on U.S. Highway 301. He did not recall why they ended up in the 2900 block of North Links Avenue, but recalled getting into a dispute over gas money when he asked Freeman to drive him to his mother’s house. That’s when Freeman stopped the vehicle. The victim said he got out of the vehicle and began to walk away. He stated, that’s when Freeman, who was the sole occupant and driver of the car, ran him over. After undergoing emergency surgery at Sarasota Memorial Hospital Tuesday night, the victim was able to positively identify Freeman in a photo line-up and stated he did want to pursue criminal charges having suffered a fractured tibia and fibula in his left leg. The victim also states that on more than one occasion, Kurtis Freeman has intentionally run him over, while driving the same vehicle.