A teen driver is facing “adult consequences” after Tampa police said he crashed into traffic on I-275 last week and then fled the scene when a motorcycle officer tried to get him to stop.
The Tampa Police Department released bodycam video of the Aug. 26 incident on Monday, saying members of the department’s motor unit “had a dangerously close call with a reckless driver in his mid-teens.”
A motorcycle officer said he motioned at the teen, who was in a white Kia, and tried to get him to pull over after seeing the vehicle driving recklessly on the interstate.
The video then showed the Kia passing the officer on the left, swerving in front of the officer and smashing into the back of a pickup truck. The crash sent the truck spinning toward other vehicles on the interstate.
“He sees me, runs into the back of these cars, and then stops,” the officer said while recounting the incident to others in the motor unit.
However, after coming to a stop, video showed the Kia starting to slowly roll back into traffic with its hood heavily damaged and the driver side door hanging open.
The officer repeatedly yelled at the teen to “stop the car,” but instead, the teen pulled his door closed and drove off, according to officials.
Police found the teen driver less than an hour later, at which point he was told he was being placed under arrest for felony fleeing to elude and fleeing a traffic crash.
“When you’re behind the wheel, drive like someone’s life depends on it, because it does. For this teen driver, his reckless decision came with adult consequences,” the police department said. “Don’t be this driver. Slow down. Move over. Make safe choices. Help us keep our roads, and everyone on them, safe.”
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Source: WFLA
