SAINT CLOUD, Fla.,None — State troopers released the names of the drivers involved in a fiery crash in Osceola County that injured a deputy.
Eyewitnesses said they saw 71-year-old Robert Cooper turn in front of Deputy Jeremy Rieger on Highway 192 and Nova Road in Saint Cloud Wednesday night.
Rieger's unmarked blue Dodge Charger cruiser was a mangled mess after it was T-boned by Cooper's Chrysler Sebring. Troopers said Rieger's cruiser went airborne after the collision, and then burst into flames.
"I'm 65 years old and I've never seen one like this. This guy was hit hard," said witness Roland Duchette.
Duchette said he was two cars behind the deputy’s unmarked cruiser. They were headed westbound on Highway 192 and had a green light.
But, Duchette saw Cooper trying to turn from the opposite direction.
“He didn't slow down. He didn't look. He didn't do nothing. I said 'Oh God! He's not going to make it,' and he didn't make it,” said Duchette. “The cruiser blew up and exploded in the air,” said Duchette.
Cooper's vehicle slowed to a stop after it knocked down street signs and traffic lights, troopers said.
"Oh my God! Once they realized there was an officer involved it was like chaos. Everybody and his brother was here," said Duchette.
Osceola County firefighters, deputies and state troopers rushed to the scene. They said Rieger, who is a member of the specialty unit, crawled out of his cruiser to safety. Cooper wasn't as lucky.
"You couldn't get anything out of him. They rushed him to the hospital immediately," said Duchette.
Troopers said Rieger had the right of way and wasn't responding to a call at the time of the crash.
Both men were taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center and are expected to recover.
Troopers said charges against Cooper are pending.
WFTV
