A dramatic high-speed chase ends with a horrific crash, leaving one man critically injured.
A 17-year-old girl was behind the wheel of the vehicle when the chase ended on State Road 50.
Florida Highway Patrol troopers pulled the 18-year-old friend of the driver out of the stolen pick-up but an innocent man from Winter Springs ended up being the unintentional cause of their capture.
The fleeing teen hit the man head-on, bringing the chase to an end.
For 10 to 15 minutes before the crash, it was something you would see in the movies. Troopers said speeds hit over 90 miles per hour,
“As that driver approached the intersection of 417, a 27-year old man was exciting of the 417 ramp to go eastbound on State Road 50. His car was impacted as she ran the red light and struck the driver’s door,” said FHP Sgt. Kim Montes.
The man is in critical but stable condition.
Per News 13’s Crime Guidelines, we're choosing not to show the underage teen’s photo or release her name, but she has been charged with multiple crimes.
“First of all, the most dangerous thing the trooper was concerned about was she is driving without headlights in the middle of the night. And then obviously fleeing from the trooper, running red lights, putting other drivers at risk and we were trying to get them stopped when this crash occurred,” Montes said.
Dash cam video shows speeds over 90 miles per hour and FHP said the teen avoided road spikes. Thankfully, then the crash happened, rescue crews were at the right place at the right time.
“There was an Orange County fire truck with fireman inside westbound on State Road 50 right at the intersection of 417. When they witnessed the crash, they were able to get out and give the occupants assistance quite quickly,” Montes said.
Both teen girls had outstanding warrants at the time of the crash.
FHP said their high speed crash protocols change on a case by case basis. Things like time of day, amount of people on the road and weather conditions all play a role in whether or not to pursue a suspect at high speeds.