New Port Richey police have a man behind bars, saying he faces several charges after fleeing officers and pinning a woman between her home and a vehicle.
- Lionel Bates, 27, taken into custody
- Read previous story
- Kozeta Lamko was pinned between her home, vehicle
- She suffered only minor injuries
The incident happened about 8 p.m. Tuesday on Carbo Drive.
Police say they were trying to pull over 27-year old Lionel Bates for having windows tinted too dark on his Range Rover, but Bates fled.
Assistant Police Chief Steve Kostas said police didn't actually give chase.
"The vehicle took off immediately upon the sight of the officer," he said. "The officers of course initiated their lights and sirens, but by the time we even caught up to the vehicle, it had already crashed."
The SUV crashed into Kozeta Lamko's parked car while she and her family were standing outside next to it.
"I froze in front of my car," Lamko said. "So he came straight for my car, hit my car, landed in my car, and my car pushed me here on my chest. And I went inside the garage door."
Lamko was pinned for 15 minutes as the driver tried to get away.
Lamko suffered only minor injuries from the grinding crash.
"I feel very, very blessed," she said. "First for my kids, my husband and then for myself."
As for Bates, authorities said they found illegal drugs and nearly $1,200 in cash in his vehicle. He is facing multiple charges.