The evidence ... Cathy Bernstein's black Ford Focus with its damaged front end. Picture: Port St Lucie Police
media_cameraThe evidence ... Cathy Bernstein's black Ford Focus with its damaged front end. Picture: Port St Lucie Police

Cathy Bernstein reported to police by her car, a Ford, after a hit and run accident

A WOMAN motorist involved in a hit and run accident thought she had got away with the crime until her own car called emergency services.

Cathy Bernstein, 57, had driven off after crashing into the back of a Dodge Caravan, putting the female driver in hospital, in the city of Port St Lucie in St Lucie County, Florida.

But her car, a Ford Focus, had other ideas. St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office received an automated call from the vehicle’s emergency system Sync stating the owner had been involved in a crash and to press zero to speak with the occupants of the vehicle.

Bernstein denied she had been in a crash, stating that a car had only pulled out in front of her and did not hit her. However, the operator, was sceptical.

“Your car wouldn’t call us if someone pulled out in front of you unless there had been an accident,” she said in the recording obtained by WPBF

At the same time, police were investigating the hit and run. The van driver told police she had been hit by a black Ford car.

media_cameraHer own car tipped off police ... Cathy Bernstein, 57, had been involved in a hit and run accident in Florida. Picture: St Lucie County Sheriff's Office

Police officers found the car at Bernstein’s home and saw that it had been damaged at the front, with silver paint from the van and an airbag had been deployed.

Bernstein finally admitted to police officers that she had been the driver of the hit and run and said that she was fleeing from another crash when she hit the van.

Bernstein and the driver of the van, Anna Preston, were treated in hospital for their injuries.

“I saw her in the hospital,” Preston told ABC7.

“I just went by, and I’m assuming she had a worse night than I did.”

Bernstein was arrested and taken to St Lucie County Jail where she was charged with the accident. She was released on $3750 bail.

Originally published as Car tips off police about bad driver