TAMPA, Fla. — Video released by the Florida Highway Patrol shows a trooper being punched by a man before several drivers stopped to help stop the attack.
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Troopers said the attack occurred around 10 a.m. Friday on eastbound Interstate 4 near mile marker 3 in Tampa.
According to a report, 24-year-old Alexander Hernandez-Delgado was walking eastbound on the left shoulder of I-4 when he was stopped by Trooper Jonathan Ruiz.
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Ruiz said he told Hernandez-Delgado that pedestrians cannot walk along the highway, then asked to see his ID and searched him.
Troopers said Hernandez-Delgado soon became aggressive and punched Ruiz in the face.
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The trooper said Hernandez-Delgado started to run, and while being placed under arrest, he began punching Ruiz several times.
Ruiz said several drivers on I-4 saw the trooper being attacked and stopped to help.
With the help of the people that stopped, Ruiz was able to place Hernandez-Delgado under arrest.
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Ruiz was injured with a bloody nose in the altercation, according to a report.
The Florida Highway Patrol took to social media Saturday to thank the drivers who stopped to help Ruiz.
Hernandez-Delgado was charged with battery on a law enforcement officer and resisting an officer with violence.
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