FHP trooper injured during pursuit
FHP cruiser rammed in 2-county chase.
Accident – Death – Obituary News :
MIAMI – A trooper from the Florida Highway Patrol is currently recovering at his residence after his patrol vehicle was deliberately crashed into by the driver of a stolen car in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
The incident occurred when Trooper Ronald Melendez-Bonilla was pursuing a stolen BMW from Kendall. The vehicle, driven by 18-year-old Tommie Allen with 20-year-old Tyler Hollins as the passenger, rammed into Trooper Melendez-Bonilla’s patrol car on West Oakland Park Boulevard.
Reports from the FHP indicate that the stolen BMW was being tracked by its rightful owner and was travelling eastbound on SR 826. Trooper Melendez-Bonilla identified the vehicle and attempted to initiate a stop.
The pursuit commenced on the Palmetto Expressway and eventually led into Broward County. Lieutenant Indiana Miranda from the FHP stated that the driver of the stolen BMW refused to comply with the trooper’s instructions and accelerated to speeds exceeding 100 mph.
The chase proceeded north, then eastbound on Sunrise Blvd., and finally north on US 441. Both vehicles turned east onto W. Oakland Park Blvd., where the stolen BMW made a U-turn in the 2900 block. As Trooper Melendez-Bonilla tried to catch up, the driver of the stolen car abruptly entered a McDonald’s parking lot and then attempted to exit.
Despite Melendez-Bonilla’s continued pursuit westbound on W. Oakland Park Blvd., the driver of the stolen BMW deliberately rammed into the patrol car. The impact caused the cruiser to spin clockwise and collide with a large sign in the parking lot of an adjacent office building.
The stolen BMW continued westbound on W. Oakland Park Blvd., attempting to turn left to head south on US 441. However, due to a mechanical malfunction, the vehicle mounted the sidewalk and crashed into a bus stop in Broward County, coming to a halt. Both the driver and passenger fled from the stolen car.
Fort Lauderdale and the Broward Sheriff’s Office collaborated to apprehend the two suspects. They were subsequently arrested and charged with Grand Theft, Fleeing and Eluding, Aggravated Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer, and Resisting Arrest Without Violence.
Trooper Melendez-Bonilla was taken to Holy Cross Hospital and treated for minor injuries sustained during the collision.
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– FHP trooper injured during pursuit
– Cruiser rammed in 2-county chase.
