RSSStolen SUV in Fatal Crash with Pickup in Polk County
A trio of young men are facing numerous severe charges after being involved in a series of thefts that culminated in a lengthy car chase throughout central Florida and, ultimately, a fatal crash at the intersection of Interstate 4 and U.S. Highway 192. The incident began during the morning of Wednesday, October 7th, within the City of Tampa, when the Tampa Police Department began to receive reports of a string of thefts, including that of a gun, from cars.
According to officials, an unnamed witness who alerted the Tampa Police Department to the crimes told the authorities that the perpetrator was driving a white SUV. Later, another witness told the authorities the license plate number of the car. When police ran the plates, they discovered that the car itself had been stolen from Kissimmee.
A chase began when police successfully identified the car as it was passing along Melbourne Boulevard at close to 1:00 in the afternoon. At first, police were able to approach the vehicle on foot, but then the driver of the car sped away which prompted numerous vehicles to begin pursuing the stolen SUV.
When the SUV entered Polk County via Interstate 4, a helicopter and units with the Florida Highway Patrol began to join in the chase, which urged the driver of the SUV to drive even faster. It was as the stolen car was about to pass the intersection of I-4 and U.S. Highway 192 that a pickup truck entered into the path of the SUV. Neither of the drivers were able to avoid one another, and the SUV and the pickup collided with one another while still traveling at an advanced rate of speed.
The force of the crash caused the pickup to collide with two other vehicles. Behind the wheel of the pickup was a 67-year-old from Davenport and as a result of the crash with the other vehicles, this individual suffered from severe injuries. They were rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment, but ultimately they were unable to recover from their wounds. They were declared dead sometime after arriving at the hospital.
Inside of the stolen SUV were three individuals, each of them in their late teens. All three now face numerous charges. It is believed that the driver of the stolen SUV also suffered from severe injuries, although there is no current information regarding their condition.
Sources:
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.