Handcuffed man runs into traffic, killed in Ocala

MARION COUNTY, Fla. — The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating how a man in handcuffs was able to run into traffic and was struck and killed by a semi on Interstate 75 in Ocala.

Florida Highway Patrol troopers told Channel 9’s Myrt Price they had Gerber Ajtun-Chanchavac in custody late Wednesday night, Thursday morning just north of U.S. 27, when the man got away.

However, troopers are being tight-lipped on why the man was taken into custody.

Sources said Ajtun-Chanchavac was in handcuffs and somehow got away from troopers when he was killed.

Eyewitness News asked the FHP whether the man was cuffed when he was hit and killed.

"I can tell you that person was in the care and custody of the Highway Patrol at the time of the incident,” said Lt. Patrick V. Riordan with the Florida Highway Patrol.

Eyewitness News asked troopers why Ajtun-Chanchavac was in custody, why he was pulled over for a traffic stop and if the troopers involved have been placed on paid leave. Investigators would only say they're in the early stages of the investigation.

“It is an active investigation, and I can’t comment anything beyond what I told you,” said Riordan.

Eyewitness News learned Ajtun-Chanchavac is from Palm Beach County.

Cox Media Group