photo by: Florida Highway Patrol
A driver is facing several charges after fleeing Florida Highway Patrol troopers and slamming into their patrol vehicle at speeds over 120 mph in Tampa.
Early Saturday morning around 12:22 a.m., a trooper responded to assist Tampa police in catching a vehicle that fled from one of their officers.
The trooper spotted the vehicle, a BMW, traveling westbound on SR-618 near milepost 1, but the driver evaded law enforcement, getting off the Gandy Boulevard exit. However, upon the driver reentering SR-618, the trooper was able to get back on their tail.
The trooper positioned himself behind the BMW at milepost 3, which was traveling “well over 120 mph” in a 55 mph zone. While attempting to pull the BMW over, the driver slowed down, got behind the FHP patrol car and “very aggressively” tried to pass the trooper.
As a second trooper joined in the pursuit and prepared to perform a PIT maneuver, the suspect swerved into the second trooper, striking the front right of his patrol car and sending the trooper off the road and into the concrete barrier in the median.
The impact immobilized the patrol vehicle. The trooper suffered minor injuries from the collision and was treated by EMS at the scene.
Despite the BMW also being disabled, the driver attempted to flee but didn’t make it very far, according to the incident report.
Troopers were able to arrest the driver, identified as 32-year-old J D H. He is facing charges of fleeing to elude law enforcement at a high speed, reckless driving, aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer for using a deadly weapon and driving with a suspended license.
H had multiple active suspensions at the time of his arrest, including several unresolved suspensions for fleeing to elude. He’s also had previous convictions for driving with a suspended license and had an active warrant.
H had a male passenger in the vehicle with him, but the report did not name the man or say if he was arrested as well.
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Source: wfla
