John Jefferson
Lisa Nicosia (Hernando County Sheriff’s Office).
A Florida woman who was involuntarily committed to drug rehab escaped the hospital before she carjacked a 70-year-old man and ran him over with his own vehicle twice, police say.
It happened just after noon on Saturday at Tampa General Hospital in Brooksville. According to the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office, several people called 911 for a hit-and-run crash in the parking lot. Hospital staff told deputies a woman, later identified as 41-year-old Lisa Nicosia, had been taken to the emergency room earlier in the day under the Marchman Act, which allows a spouse, relative or friend to petition a court to involuntarily commit someone to drug rehab.
Nicosia allegedly escaped from the ER and ran into parking lot. She then allegedly approached a 70-year-old man who was sitting in his car.
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Nicosia “forcefully removed” the victim from the car and entered the driver’s seat, police say. The victim ran around to the passenger side and opened the door, but Nicosia allegedly took off in the car, causing the victim to be trapped under the rear passenger wheel well.
“Nicosia continued in reverse, running over the victim’s upper body,” deputies said.
Nurses ran up to the car and “pleaded with Nicosia to stop the vehicle so they could render aid to the victim,” according to deputies. But she allegedly ignored them and drove away, “intentionally running over the victim a second time.”
Cops showed up and saw the stolen vehicle going east on Jefferson Street and tried to stop the car, but she allegedly fled. She pulled into a nearby business and then ran out of the car. Deputies quickly arrested her.
Detectives took her to the police station to try and interview her, but she “was unable to make rational statements” because she was apparently still under the influence of drugs. She was then taken to the Hernando County Jail after being cleared at a hospital. She’s facing charges of attempted felony murder, carjacking, resisting arrest without violence and fleeing to elude. She’s in jail without bond.
Hospital staff treated the victim until he could be airlifted to another hospital. Police have not released any updates on his condition.
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