GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Florida starting center T.J. McCoy was the victim of a hit-and-run by an alleged drunk driver early Friday morning, according to Gainesville Police Department spokesman Ben Tobias.

McCoy and his girlfriend were on a scooter around 3 a.m. Friday morning when they were struck by a blue 2011 Honda Civic as they slowed for traffic heading westbound on University Ave. McCoy and his girlfriend were thrown from the scooter and taken to Shands Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, according to a GPD arrest report.

Florida declined comment on McCoy's current status, citing HIPAA regulations, but GatorBait.net has confirmed that McCoy remains hospitalized.

Samantha Meldrem, a 22-year-old woman and the driver of the vehicle, was arrested after hitting them and fleeing the scene. She was arrested around the 100 block of NW 20th Dr. with noticeable damage to the hood and front bumper of her vehicle and a broken windshield.

Meldrem performed poorly on field sobriety tests after admitting to GPD officers that she had struck McCoy's scooter after having been to multiple bars and taking a double shot mixed drink about two hours before the crash at Salty Dog, a bar in Gainesville's midtown district, according to the report.

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McCoy's father, Tony McCoy, posted about the accident on social media, sounding optimistic in a Facebook post. He shared two pictures of T.J. in a hospital bed with McCoy looking upbeat, despite sporting a bandage on the left side of his forehead.

"At 3am this morning my wife and I received a call from the Trauma unit at Shands Hospital informing us that our son TJ had been in a hit and run accident and was found on the side of the road," McCoy wrote. "It turned out that a drunk driver hit TJ and his girlfriend at a stop light after they left the library and fled the scene. With little information and declaring VICTORY my family and I headed to Gainesville. Seems like within minutes after we received the call, his Offensive Line coach (Brad Davis) was in the hospital with him keeping us updated.

"I'm truly grateful for ALL the staff here at Shands and the way that they have looked after my son. I'm grateful for the ENTIRE Coaching staff at Florida. Listen, anyone can make their mouth say that they care, but this coaching staff here at Flordia showed that they mean what they say when they say FAMILY. Mr. George (Wynn) who is head of football operations coming and sitting with my wife and daughter meant a lot to me and my family.

"We have been overshadowed with love, calls, prayers and support by everyone from Coach Mac (Jim McElwain) and his entire staff. As a former Gator I'm grateful for the level of excellence and care that has been shown to my family."

After transferring from N.C. State and redshirting during the 2015 season, McCoy appeared in seven games for Florida last fall, starting the final four.

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