Hit-run charges for TV chief

The other driver followed and was assaulted, police say.

By JUSTIN GEORGE, Times Staff Writer
Published September 15, 2007

TAMPA - Police arrested William Carey, the station manager for WFTS-TV Ch. 28, after they say he evaded officers and assaulted a driver whose car he rear-ended.

Carey, 49, turned himself into the Morgan Street jail Friday afternoon and was released after he posted $25,000 bail.

Police spent a full day investigating the Wednesday night crash and the events that followed, leading to Carey's arrest on charges of auto burglary, battery and hit and run with property damage.

Before 10:30 p.m. Wednesday, police said, Carey's 2006 Ford Explorer rear-ended a Mercedes driven by Ok Yi, 52, of Lutz.

Police said Carey didn't pull over, and Yi followed him on Memorial Highway for about 1 mile, honking until he did.

On the roadside, Carey got out of his sport utility vehicle and gave Yi his driver's license through her car window.

Yi told Carey she was going to call the police, causing Carey to grow upset, police said, and he tried to grab his license.

When he couldn't get it, the 6-foot-5, 240-pound Carey grabbed Yi's arms and tried to pull her through her car window, police said.

She had on a seat belt, so he opened her door, grabbed her shirt and tried again, police said.

Yi, who police said suffered bruises on her arms, unbuckled her seat belt and ran down the road as Carey chased her.

Police said he stopped running after a short distance, went back to Yi's car and rummaged through it until Yi's husband arrived. Carey fled in his SUV.

Police, who used Carey's driver's license to identify him, called him and asked him to meet them at District 1 headquarters. Carey agreed but didn't show up.

An investigator went to his Tampa home at 11617 Highbury Way, but Carey didn't answer, police said. They impounded his SUV as evidence.

Yi's daughter, Susan, said her mother wished Carey no trouble. They wanted Carey to admit his fault and apologize, she said.

Susan Yi said her parents didn't know who Carey's insurance company or lawyer was.

Carey's attorney, Eddie Suarez, said Carey is cooperating with authorities.

"We are confident that this misunderstanding will be cleared up," Suarez said.

Carey didn't return calls to his home, work and cell phone. WFTS, an ABC affiliate, referred questions to its parent company, E.W. Scripps Co.

Scripps spokesman Tim Stautberg said Carey has been placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of an internal investigation.

Staff writers Eric Deggans and Jared Leone contributed to this report. Justin George can be reached at 813 226-3368 or jgeorge@sptimes.com.

[Last modified September 14, 2007, 23:23:37]