ORANGE COUNTY, Fla.,None — Troopers say what started out as a traffic stop ended with a police chase through two counties that came to a crashing end.
Law enforcement told WFTV they were after the driver of a BMW convertible for speeding in Lake County. Around 3 a.m. a trooper tried pulling the vehicle over, but the driver took off and started a chase through Orange County.
"Anytime a vehicle speeds at any speed above the speed limit it is a danger to the public's safety," said FHP Trooper Frederick Hall.
But the trooper had to slow down at stop signs and red lights because other drivers were still on the road, and eventually the driver of the BMW got away.
Not too long after FHP put a call out to other law enforcement, and a few minutes later an Ocoee police officer spotted the driver and pursued the vehicle. But, the driver got away again and lost control of the BMW, slamming into a palm tree, knocking the tree right off its base.
Tire marks, glass, and parts of the palm tree were scattered all over Good Holmes Road near State Road 50.
"There were no police units, FHP, or any other agency actually involved in the pursuit at the time, so the suspect continued to drive in an erratic manner," said Hall.
FHP said the driver was taken to the hospital with minor injuries.