VERO BEACH — Indian River County Commissioner Laura Moss was hospitalized Monday morning after being hit by a pickup truck going 10 mph, Vero Beach police said. Moss, a former Vero Beach mayor, had non-life threatening injuries and was expected to make a speedy recovery, police spokesperson Master Officer Darrell Rivers said.
“She was in good spirits at the hospital,” Rivers said. “The hospital will keep her overnight for observation.”
Indian River County Commissioner Laura Moss
PHOTO PROVIDED
The impact knocked Moss to the ground, leaving her with an injury to the back of her head, Rivers said. The 20-year-old pickup driver, a man whose identity was not publicly released, was cited for careless driving, according to police.
The crash happened at 8:30 a.m. as Moss was leaving Chelsea’s Gourmet Cafe on Cardinal Drive. Rivers said the 2003 Chevy pickup truck was headed northbound on Cardinal Drive.
The pickup driver was getting ready to make a left turn onto Azalea Lane when the vehicle struck Moss as she walked from westbound to eastbound on Cardinal Drive, Rivers said. Moss was initially unconscious but came to as officers arrived.
Indian River County Fire Rescue crews took Moss by ambulance to HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital in Fort Pierce as a precaution, Rivers said.
“We’re asking for prayers,” Rivers said.
Moss was elected as an Indian River County Commissioner for District 5 in 2020. Moss served as Vero Beach Mayor from 2016 to 2017 and served on the city council from 2016 to 2020.