ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla. – One person died in a car crash Thursday in Altamonte Springs that started as a carjacking and led to a police pursuit, according to authorities.
The FHP said Rolando Martinez, 28, of Orlando, was killed in the crash, which happened around 5:50 p.m. at Douglas Avenue and Highlands Street.
Police said a man, later identified as Martinez, carjacked a Domino's delivery driver's truck in Sanford and sped away.
Police said four officers then pursued the stolen truck through Sanford onto Interstate 4. The truck got off the interstate, sideswiped another car, and crashed into a tree in Altamonte Springs.
"He was trying to get around me, but he ended up hitting me, and then pushed me over and went right on into the tree, between the trees," said Carolyn White, who was leaving a therapy appointment and pulled onto Douglas Avenue when she was hit by the stolen truck.
Martinez was taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center, where he died, the FHP said.
Police said Martinez first tried to carjack someone at a Kangaroo Express on French Avenue in Sanford, but was fought off. Investigators said he approached someone pumping gas and mentioned having a gun, but that person refused to hand over the keys.
Martinez then went to the Domino's next door and stole the delivery driver's truck, according to police, who said the truck was left running with the door cracked while the employee went in to pick up his next delivery.
Video from Local 6 news helicopter Sky 6 showed a dark-colored truck with the front end crushed. Debris and brush littered the ground as authorities investigated.