WEST MELBOURNE, Fla. — A Palm Bay man is in jail after hitting a West Melbourne police vehicle with his truck, the police department said.
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According to a news release, the man drove erratically south on Hollywood from U.S. 192.
A West Melbourne patrol officer saw the man, identified as Jarret Hefler, 25, drive over a raised median and speed off on Hollywood Boulevard.
The truck came to the intersection of Hollywood Boulevard and Fell Road, where it drove in a circle and did donuts, police said.
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Police said he hit the officer’s vehicle while trying to escape a traffic stop.
West Melbourne police said officers chased Hefler because his reckless behavior was a threat to the public.
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Hefler turned off his truck’s headlights to hide from the police but lost control of his vehicle and crashed on Hollywood Boulevard, where police arrested him.
No injuries were reported.
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Hefler was charged with battery on a law enforcement officer, reckless driving, fleeing police and property damage.
He is now at the Brevard County Jail.
See a map of the scene below:
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