Sheriff’s Office says Zimmerman helped family escape overturned vehicle
July 22, 2013
SANFORD — The Seminole County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) confirmed today that George Zimmerman, along with another man, assisted a family of four following an accident on the I-4 eastbound entrance ramp off of State Road 417 northbound at approximately 5:45 p.m on Wednesday, July 17.
“SCSO’s responding deputy reported that when he arrived, two men – one of whom was George Zimmerman – had already helped assist the family by getting them out of the overturned vehicle.” read a press release issued by the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office on Monday.
The statement continues, saying that Zimmerman did not witness the accident and continued on his way after making contact with deputies.
None of the 911 calls released by SCSO mention Zimmerman by name, but multiple callers did tell dispatch that they did see people helping the victims out of the car.
“They’re getting them out of the car right now.” said one 911 caller.
The SCSO released the traffic accident report Monday afternoon which classifies the vehicle involved in the accident as a 2004 blue Ford Explorer, as well as the names of the two adults in the car. Mark C. Gerstle was the driver of the vehicle during the accident and his passenger was Dana Michelle Gerstle.
Neither Zimmerman nor the other man were mentioned in the accident report.
The press release stated that the Gerstle’s were traveling with two children at the time of the accident. There were no reports of injuries to anyone inside the vehicle.
This is the first reported sighting of Zimmerman since his acquittal.
Zimmerman’s encounter with the Gerstle family occurred four days after his five week trial ended when the jury of six gave the court their verdict of not guilty at 9:59 p.m. on Saturday, July 13.
The accident happened two miles from the Retreat at Twin Lakes, which is the housing development where George Zimmerman shot and killed unarmed 17-year old Trayvon Martin in self defense on February 26, 2012.