VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — A 16-year-old Daytona Beach resident was arrested Tuesday after running over a police officer during a chase that topped 100 mph, the Port Orange Police Department said.
Police tried to pull over, Walter Rodriguez, after an officer reported a suspicious vehicle at The Pavilion at Port Orange, investigators said.
Rodriguez, a student at Spruce Creek High School, fled, driving through the city at speeds that reached into the triple digits, officers said.
Meanwhile, an officer was ahead of the chase placing tire-deflating devices on Madeline Avenue near Clyde Morris Boulevard.
As the Rodriguez neared the intersection, he swerved and hit the officer, officials said.
The teen driver continued driving and ended up crashing and rolling over the SUV he or she was driving at the intersection of Ridgewood Avenue and Nova Road.
"I saw about 10 or 12 police officers chasing the car," a witness said. "I saw police officers throw the stop stick. (Rodriguez) swerved to miss it and rolled the car in the median."
Channel 9’s Roy Ramos asked the witness whether he say the teen get out of the car and crawl out.
“Yes, and there was about five or six police officers with guns drawn on him,” the witness said.
This witness said he spoke with another officer who narrowly avoided the suspect headed toward him.
“He told me that the suspect tried to ram his police car after he'd already hit another police officer,” the witness said.
Police have not said what charges Rodriguez will face or if he will be charged as an adult.
The officer, who was not identified, received multiple injuries when he was hit, but none were believed to be life threatening, investigators said.
He was taken to Halifax Hospital where he was listed in stable condition.
Cox Media Group
