Trooper’s Patrol Vehicle Sideswiped While Attempting to Stop a Fleeing Impaired Driver Involved in a Hit and Run Crash Involving 12 Vehicles
The Florida Highway Patrol was notified of a hit and run crash at approximately 2:15 p.m. on Friday, October 19, 2018.
The hit and run crash was reported on I-275 southbound near the 35MM.
The suspect vehicle, a 1999 Chevy Van, was reported to have continued southbound on I-275 and struck several other vehicles.
An FHP Trooper located and attempted to stop the suspect who continued southbound again. The suspect, now identified as 43 year-old Efrain Nunez-Alcantar of Frostproof, moved onto the west shoulder of the roadway while passing other traffic to include another Trooper.
As Nunez-Alcantar passed the second Trooper he sideswiped the FHP patrol vehicle and again continued southbound. The suspect eventually exited onto I-375, stopped in traffic, was approached and arrested by FHP Troopers without incident at 4th Avenue NE and Beach Drive NE.
Nunez-Alcantar, later determined to be under the influence of controlled substances, was not injured during the collisions which included 11 other vehicles. Other motorists, including the Troopers, were also uninjured.
Nunez-Alcantar faces multiple counts of DUI Property Damage, Leaving the Scene of a Crash Involving Property Damage, and Fleeing & Eluding. In addition, due to this incident, he has been charged with violating the terms of his probation stemming from earlier charges in Polk County.