A demolition derby erupted on a Florida highway when a driver trying to outrun cops began to “violently ram” cars blocking his way, according to the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office.
It happened Friday, June 23, in Citrus Springs and the chase reached speeds of 100 mph, the sheriff’s office said in a news release. Citrus Springs is about 85 miles north of Tampa.
The driver — a man from Elgin, South Carolina — was captured after he “lost control of the vehicle and crashed,” officials said.
Investigators say deputies had two encounters with the driver: The first when he failed to pull over at a traffic stop and the second when deputies saw him again 16 miles south in Inverness.
Deputies started firing shots “to put a stop to this motorist’s deadly action.” However, he continued ramming vehicles until a gap formed, allowing him to “continue his flight from law enforcement through heavily congested traffic,” officials said.
“The vehicle side-swiped several vehicles before coming to a complete stop near the entry/exit ramps of the Suncoast Parkway along Highway 44. Deputies immediately secured the suspect and began rendering first aid until EMS arrived.
The driver, identified as 23-year-old Ahvi Samaad Deberry-Howe, was hospitalized in Pasco County “for a non-life threatening bullet wound from being shot by a deputy,” officials said.
Investigators have not revealed how many vehicles were damaged during the incident.
Citrus County Sheriff said drivers who were rammed during the “rampage” were not seriously hurt.