Newly released dash cam footage shows a Florida Highway Patrol trooper waste no time in chasing down and apprehending a driver who intentionally hit her patrol car with his vehicle on the Florida Turnpike.
Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Rear-Ended
On the afternoon of April 24, 2018, Trooper Vanessa Franceschi was conducting a routine traffic stop when a white Honda Civic rear-ended her vehicle and sped off.
“Oh s***,” Franceschi says in the video after getting hit. “I just got hit. The guy is fleeing in the car right now.”
Franceschi then pursues the Honda as it speeds down the emergency lane and shoulder of the Turnpike. She eventually catches up to it by using the PIT (Pursuit Intervention Technique) maneuver, which is defined on FHP’s website as ” intentional contact between a patrol unit and a fleeing vehicle in an attempt to force the vehicle to stop.” Basically, she rams the car into the center guard rail, rendering it unable to escape.
Franceschi and other responding officers immediately swarm and arrest the suspect, later identified as 20-year-old Raumel Quintero. In the arrest report, Quintero—who has priors including resistant arrest without violence—admitted to intentionally striking Franceschi’s vehicle.
Charges & Injuries
Quintero has been charged with Aggravated Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer. In addition, he faces charges of Felony Fleeing and Eluding and Leaving the Scene of a Crash with Injuries.
Franceschi was treated at a hospital for back injuries as a result of the rear-end. No other motorists were injured during the subsequent chase.
“This suspect’s actions were cowardly and Trooper Franceschi’s quick and courageous actions exemplify the best of the Florida Highway Patrol and all law enforcement officers,” DHSMV Executive Director Terry L. Rhodes said in a statement. “That she was targeted because she is a law enforcement officer is outrageous and we must continue to support our brave heroes by letting them know malicious attacks against law enforcement will not be tolerated in our communities.”
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