RSSMelbourne Police Officer Injured During High-Speed Chase Down I-95
According to Brevard County arrest records, a 17-year-old has been apprehended and charged with aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer with a motor vehicle, grand theft motor vehicle, resisting with violence, resisting without violence, as well as a smattering of other charges after he led the local police department on a multi-mile, high-speed chase throughout the streets of Melbourne in a stolen vehicle after crashing into an officer this past Tuesday evening.
It was approximately 7:15 p.m. on February 23rd, 2021, when officers with the Melbourne Police Department were dispatched to the intersection of Lipscomb Street and University Boulevard in order to investigate a suspicious Chrysler PT Cruiser which matched the description of a stolen vehicle that had been reported prior to this incident. Upon their arrival, they positioned their police cruiser “nose to nose” with the PT Cruiser so that the driver would be unable to accelerate and escape custody. After ignoring police commands to exit the vehicle, the 17-year-old proceeded to put the PT Cruise into reverse and maneuvered his way into a nearby parking lot.
As authorities gave pursuit to the driver and once again attempted to stop the now-fleeing teen, the 17-year-old hit the gas pedal and crashed into their police cruiser. An officer who was standing outside of the car at the time of the crash was pinned down and suffered severe injuries to his leg as a result of the collision. “The suspect continued to strike the patrol vehicle, causing extreme pain and injury,” according to an official affidavit. The young driver then quickly left the scene and took additional police officers, who were following closely behind him, on a series of joy rides through various vacant lots, intersections, and portions of I-95 in Brevard County.
The Melbourne Police Department was finally able to catch up to the alleged car thief after he crashed through a chain-link fence on Samuel Chase Lane before driving further down a dirt road and ditching the PT Cruiser. After a short foot chase and a struggle, the 17-year-old was taken into custody.
Authorities with the Melbourne Police Department indicated that this was not their first experience with this individual as he has had previous run-ins with local law enforcement in the past. Details surrounding the injured officer and his condition are currently unavailable.
Sources:
- Teen in stolen car rams, pins Melbourne officer, police say
- Teen accused of leading Melbourne police on high speed chase, injuring officer
James O. Cunningham
Since 1977, personal injury lawyer James Cunningham has provided effective legal advocacy to people who are injured through the negligent actions of another person or entity throughout the Central Florida area. He fights to obtain recoveries for his clients’ physical and emotional pain and suffering and pursues his clients’ personal injury cases with a commitment to excellence and impeccable preparation.
Mr. Cunningham is an excellent and knowledgeable attorney.