The Center for Disease Control (CDC) is asking for more individuals to be immunized athis year gainst influenza, most commonly known as “the flu.”  According to the CDC,

• % to 20% of the population get the flu;
• More than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications, including 20,000 children; and
• About 36,000 people die from flu.

The very best way for anyone to avoid the flu is by getting your flu shot.  But there are several groups of that the CDD highly recommends should be vaccinated:

• Children 6 months through 18 years of age,
• Pregnant women,
• People 50 years of age and older,
• People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions, and
• People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities.

In addition, anyone who lives with or is a caregiver of one of the above should also be immunized against the flu.

You can get your flu shot at a variety of places:  local clinics, your physicians office and even some drug stores and pharmacies are giving shots at a nominal price.  You will do yourself a favor if you get it now before it’s too late.

The Polk County Sheriff’s office reported arresting a suspect in the death of a pregnant woman due to a hit and run auto accident last week.  The victim was a 34 year-old pregnant woman from the Four Corners area in Polk County.

The driver was in her Ford Explorer traveling on Highway 27 when she passed a tractor-trailer on the right side of the highway in the grass where the victim had been walking, throwing her body about 70 feet.  The Ford Explorer did not stop and continued down 27, stopping at a nearby gas station.  The driver of the tractor-trailer stopped at the gas station and asked the driver “do you realize you just hit a young lady?” and the driver replied back “No, I didn’t”  and drove off.

Police located the vehicle which was registered to the driver’s husband based on a license plated number provided by witnesses.  The husband said his wife told him she hit the tractor-trailer which she also repeated to the deputies who arrested her.  She is charged with one count of leaving the scene of a crash.

Florida Highway Patrol reported arresting a 23 year-old Orlando man in the death hit and run accident victim in Apopka resident last Saturday.  The 26 year-old victim was killed standing with his bicycle when he was struck by a 1989 Ford Ranger.  The force of the accident threw the victim about a 150 feet. 

The driver of the vehicle fled the scene but his SUV was discovered at a motel nearby.  The driver was then arrested at his home and charged with DUI, leaving the scene of an accident involving a death and driving without a valid driver’s license.  FHP is asking anyone with knowledge of the accident to call them at 407-737-2200.