Florida Highway Patrol Pursuit Ends with PIT Maneuver

Tampa, Florida - On July 7, 2023, at approximately 4:30 a.m., I was westbound on Interstate 4 at the Interstate 75 interchange. I was operating a Florida Highway Patrol unit, FHP0926, a marked black and tan Dodge Charger. A Dodge vehicle entered Interstate 4 ahead of me at a very high rate of speed and began maneuvering aggressively through traffic, using all of the westbound lanes. I started to accelerate to overtake the Dodge. Due to traffic on the main westbound lanes of Interstate 4, the Dodge used the parallel access road for US-92/US-301 to get ahead. The Dodge re-entered the main westbound lanes of Interstate 4 and continued moving aggressively through traffic. Based on the speeds necessary to maintain visual contact, I estimated the speed of the Dodge to be in excess of 100 mph in the posted 65 mph zone. The vehicle took the exit to northbound Interstate 275, and I was able to close the gap and identify the vehicle as a Dodge Durango SUV. The Dodge continued north at a very high speed. I activated my Golden Eagle II radar and received a digital display of 85 mph, which increased to 96 mph in the posted 55 mph zone. I accelerated to complete the overtake and activated my emergency blue lights and siren. The Dodge initially slowed to just over 70 mph, then accelerated away. I moved my patrol vehicle alongside the Dodge to ensure that the driver was fully aware of my attempt to stop him. I then positioned my patrol vehicle ahead of the Dodge in an attempt to guide it to the shoulder and stop. However, the Dodge managed to pass me and accelerated away. The Dodge took the exit at State Road 580, and I used the PIT maneuver to bring the pursuit to a stop. The male driver, the sole occupant of the Dodge, was secured in handcuffs.

The driver provided only the name MICHAEL CRUZ and no other identifying information. CRUZ did not possess any identification. Rapid ID fingerprint scanning was unsuccessful. A DAVID search revealed the name MICHAEL MIGUEL CRUZ-SALAS with a date of birth of 05/16/2005. At the time of arrest, this was the best-known identification for the driver. SALAS was not licensed to operate a motor vehicle.

During the vehicle inventory, Trooper Roberts discovered two zip-loc style clear plastic bags containing green plant material in the driver's footwell. The weight of the plant material is expected to exceed 20 grams, and additional details will be added to the Florida Highway Patrol incident report.

CRUZ-SALAS claimed injury at the scene and was transported to St. Joseph's Hospital by EMS for clearance before being taken to the Hillsborough County jail.

These events took place in Hillsborough County, Florida.

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