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Trooper injured after pursuit on I-95 in Brevard County
A trooper was injured after a pursuit on Interstate 95 ended with a crash into a guardrail, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The trooper was attempting to pull over a reckless driver and performed a PIT maneuver to stop the vehicle, FHP said. The FHP patrol car and a Mercedes-Benz left the roadway and hit a guardrail.
BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. - A trooper was injured Christmas Day after a pursuit on Interstate 95 in Brevard County ended in a crash, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
What we know:
The trooper was trying to pull over the driver of a Mercedes-Benz who was driving recklessly in the southbound lanes of the interstate in Titusville, FHP said.
The Mercedes-Benz and the FHP patrol car ran off the roadway and hit the guardrail after the trooper performed a PIT maneuver to stop the vehicle, according to FHP.
A trooper was injured after a pursuit of a reckless driver ended with a crash on I-95. (Courtesy: Chloe Isabella Przywara)
The trooper was transported to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Both the driver and the passenger of the Mercedes-Benz were both taken into custody. Charges against the driver are pending. According to FHP, the passenger has an active warrant out of Broward County.
FHP said the speeds of both vehicles remain under investigation.
A trooper was injured after a pursuit of a reckless driver ended with a crash on I-95. (Courtesy: Jay Grunenfelder)
What is a PIT maneuver?
A PIT maneuver – or Precision Immobilization Technique – occurs when law enforcement uses the front bumper of its patrol vehicle to make contact with the suspect's back bumper.
Each law enforcement's PIT policy differs, FOX 35's Marie Edinger reported. Florida Highway Patrol said a PIT is its primary technique to stop a pursuit, however, several factors need to be aligned. Roadway conditions, traffic volume, occupants and speed are all factors to be taken into consideration.
"The greater the speed, the greater the likelihood of injury or death," FHP's PIT policy states, Edinger said.
Part of I-95 shut down
The crash led to the closure of part of I-95 southbound in Brevard County.
Southbound lanes of the interstate were blocked at State Road 46 for a few hours while crews work to clear the crash, according to authorities.
The roadway has since reopened.
What's next:
FHP is continuing to investigate the crash.
The Source: This article was written with information from the Florida Highway Patrol.