Judge sentences former Apopka official to probation in hit-and-run crash

TAVARES, Fla. — A former Apopka city administrator has avoided an 11-year prison sentence by accepting a plea offer in a hit-and-run crash that seriously injured a man last year.

Richard Anderson was in court Tuesday morning to officially sign off on the plea deal.

The Lake County State Attorney's Office and a judge agreed to sentence him to a 3½-year probation term on two charges despite pleas from the victim's relatives that he be jailed.

Anderson was driving on State Road 46 last April when he crashed head-on into Michael Falcon, who was driving to his job at a sewage treatment plant in Sanford.

Anderson was a longtime city manager and a fire chief. Despite his training in rendering medical assistance, phone records said he didn't call 911. Passing motorists did so instead.

Amber Falcon, Michael Falcon's daughter, described Anderson as a coward who paced around the crash scene, calling his longtime girlfriend and attorney Frank Kruppenbaucher before he left.

"In normal circumstances, this would not be tolerated," Amber Falcon said. "However, seeing as Mr. Anderson is an influential man in Central Florida with more resources and money than my family can compete with, I fear that there will not be justice."

She said the plea offer wasn't enough.

Anderson settled a civil lawsuit with Michael Falcon last month, paying him several hundred thousand dollars.

"Please remember that my father is the victim here and not Anderson," Amber Falcon said.

Anderson must pay $100 in court costs and will be allowed to travel to and from work.

Michael Falcon's family raised concerns about Anderson being allowed to serve probation because the prevalence of hit-and-run crashes in Central Florida.

"This is encouraging behavior for drivers who even think about leaving someone at a crash scene to die," one of Falcon's daughters said.

Cox Media Group