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Cops: Gunman fleeing from police crashes into car, killing driver

ORLANDO, Fla. — Authorities said a man shooting at police while trying to flee from an officer crashed into another car, killing the driver.

The fatal crash happened in Orlando Thursday morning on West Colonial Drive and Powers Drive, Florida Highway Patrol said.

Gangapersad Ramroop, 23, had been arrested before on fleeing and eluding police charges, officers said.

Police said they tried to stop the green Honda Civic three times before Ramroop pulled out a gun and fired at an officer.

Ramroop ran a red light, and then crashed into an SUV, killing the driver, police said.

"Traffic stops are dangerous because we don't know who is behind the wheel," said Cpl. David Allmond of the Orlando Police Department.

Officers said the driver of that car, Robert Hunter, 25, was ejected and died at the scene.

The passenger, Wilgue Pierre, 26, was hospitalized in serious condition.

Ramroop shouldn't have been driving. Police said his license was revoked after a slew of prior traffic violations, said investigators, like trying to run from police in the past.

"The SUV, as it's going westbound, did nothing wrong. They were going through a green light," said Kim Montes of the Florida Highway Patrol.

There was also a bicyclist involved in the crash. He heard the crash just in time and jumped off his bike, before the SUV ran over it.

Dozens of Hunter's family and friends gathered at his mother's house and stopped by the crash site throughout the day to remember the father of six children.

"It's devastating to see on the Fourth of July, starting at 4 in the morning, that something like this is going on. That's the realness about it," witness Levore Facen said.