Lehigh Acres, Florida – A hit-and-run crash led to an arrest after three dogs were allegedly attacked during the suspect’s escape.
According to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, deputies arrested 21-year-old Doris Sebastian of Lehigh Acres on Monday after investigating a hit-and-run crash followed by multiple acts of animal cruelty.
Deputies responded around 8:30 a.m. to a reported hit-and-run at the intersection of Loyola Avenue and Vesper Court. Investigators said another driver reported that a female driver ran a stop sign, struck his vehicle, and then fled the scene on foot into a nearby wooded area.
Shortly after, deputies received a call from a homeowner about a mile away who reported a woman matching the suspect’s description had trespassed onto his property and was washing herself in his swimming pool. When the homeowner confronted the woman, she allegedly began kicking, dragging, and striking multiple dogs on the property.
Investigators said three dogs were attacked during the encounter. Deputies converged on the area and later located the suspect walking along the roadway. She was identified as Sebastian and taken into custody.
Sebastian was arrested on three counts of aggravated animal cruelty and leaving the scene of a crash, according to the sheriff’s office. Authorities said the crash investigation remains active.
“This was a disturbing and completely unprovoked attack on innocent animals,” Sheriff Carmine Marceno said in a statement. “There is absolutely no excuse for this behavior, and we will hold this woman fully accountable for her careless actions.”
Deputies said none of the dogs sustained serious injuries.
The incident occurred during morning commute hours, briefly affecting drivers in the area.
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