Former Republican Congressman Madison Cawthorn has been alleged by a witness to have crashed his vehicle into a Florida Highway Patrol cruiser on Monday. The incident occurred on Interstate 75 in Collier County, Florida.
The witness, Alethea Shapiro, reported that she was traveling southbound on the highway when an aggressive driver in a black sports car began tailgating her. Shapiro recounted that she had to swerve to avoid a collision and came to a halt when the car door opened, and a man in a wheelchair rolled out. She identified the driver as Cawthorn and shared video footage of the aftermath.
The Florida Highway Patrol confirmed that one of their state trooper vehicles was rear-ended by a 2021 Mercedes driven by a 28-year-old man from Cape Coral, Florida. The trooper sustained minor injuries and was taken to a hospital for treatment. The driver of the Mercedes was cited for violating Florida's Move Over Law.
Public records indicate that Cawthorn, who previously represented North Carolina's 11th Congressional District, now resides in Cape Coral, Florida. Cawthorn's term in office was marked by controversy, including allegations of insider trading, improper payments, and a previous incident involving a handgun at a North Carolina airport.
Cawthorn lost the 2022 Republican primary and did not confirm or deny his involvement in the crash, directing inquiries to his attorney, who also declined to comment on the matter.
The incident adds to the tumultuous history of Cawthorn's political career, which has been marred by various controversies and legal issues.
