Florida troopers collide on I-75 while pursuing fleeing driver in Hillsborough, officials say
Two Florida Highway Patrol troopers and their K-9s were injured when their patrol vehicles collided on Interstate 75 near Fletcher Avenue in Hillsborough County on Wednesday, according to the agency.
The troopers were in pursuit of a driver who fled during a traffic stop attempt around 3:17 p.m. on Interstate 4 near Thonotosassa Road, the Highway Patrol said in a news release Wednesday night.
The driver, who was heading westbound on I-4, entered northbound lanes of I-75 as the patrol vehicles followed, troopers said. The driver slowed and went into the grass median just south of Fletcher Avenue and tried to make a U-turn.
“Pursuing Troopers also began to enter the grass median; however, a K-9 unit traveling in a Chevy Tahoe was unable to slow adequately on the grass surface and collided with the rear of another K-9 unit traveling in a Ford Explorer,” according to the release.
The Chevy spun and came to a stop along the paved shoulder of the highway, while the Ford flipped in the median, the Highway Patrol said.
The troopers were taken to an area hospital with injuries that were described as not life-threatening. The K-9s were taken to a local veterinarian and received treatment for what the release said were “minor injuries” before being released.
Traffic was backed up on I-75 in both directions until the lanes were cleared around 6:11 p.m., the release said.
The 35-year-old driver’s vehicle got stuck in the median. He was arrested and booked into a Hillsborough County jail, where he faces fleeing and eluding, driving while license suspended and drug possession charges, according to the Highway Patrol.
