FHP: Trooper opens fire on woman who rammed patrol car, led officers on chase

OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. — Troopers said a woman is headed to jail after fleeing from a car crash and leading them on a chase down Florida's Turnpike with her two children in tow before ramming a patrol car, causing troopers to open fire.

Florida Highway Patrol troopers said the pursuit started Tuesday afternoon when 36-year-old Angela Estrella, of Miami, Fla., refused to pull over on the Turnpike after being involved in two different crashes.

Troopers said they clocked the woman's vehicle at 112 mph in a posted 70 mph zone.

When troopers attempted to the pull Estrella over, she exited the turnpike onto US-192 before colliding with two other cars.

As the trooper got out of his vehicle at the crash scene, FHP said Estrella attempted to leave and drove directly toward the trooper, ramming his patrol car.

The trooper followed Estrella and continued to try and get her to stop her vehicle. Troopers said Estrella then T-boned a pickup truck a couple of miles up the road near Michigan Avenue.

"They were trying to stop her. I'm glad I was able to stop her so no one else got hurt," said the pickup driver William Cline. "I wasn't happy. I just got my truck out of the shop yesterday with a $1,000 repair and now it's probably totaled."

A trooper eventually opened fire on Estrella's vehicle. No one was struck and they said they had no idea her children were also inside the SUV.

According to FHP, the trooper in the shooting was Jose Nieves, Jr., 40, and eight year veteran of the department.

"We thought there was only one suspect in the vehicle. The vehicle windows are very tinted, and it's hard to see inside the vehicle with everything transpiring. That will be looked into," said FHP Sgt. Kim Montes.

An 18-year-old girl and young boy were also in the vehicle, but neither were injured. Both were picked up by another family member.

Estrella was hauled off on a stretcher with minor injuries and taken to Osceola Regional Hospital, where she was Baker Acted, according to troopers.

"She was really emotional," said witness Jovon Goings. "She seemed like she really didn't know what was going on."

Deputies said once Estrella is released from the hospital she will be brought to the Osceola County Jail. FHP said she's facing multiple charges.

The entire incident remains under investigation by FHP and charges are pending.

WFTV