Pursuit ends in fiery crash in Orange County, injuring 4

Driver took off during DUI stop, Florida Highway Patrol troopers say

ORLANDO, Fla. – Four people were hospitalized early Wednesday morning after a fiery crash in Orange County.

The Florida Highway Patrol says the incident started around 2:30 a.m. as a possible DUI stop.

Troopers say they pulled over a silver Toyota Prius and the driver, identified as 30-year-old James Maddux, of Orlando, stopped in the middle of the road. Troopers say they suspected the man's driver's license was fake and he took off as they approached the car.

Troopers followed the driver until the Prius, which was also carrying an 18-year-old man, crashed into a silver station wagon at the intersection of Southland Boulevard and Orange Blossom Trail and burst into flames.

There were two people in each car and both drivers were ejected from their vehicles, according to the FHP.  Maddux was listed in critical condition and his passenger suffered serious injuries, the FHP said.  A 34-year-old Maitland man driving the other car also suffered serious injuries, and his passenger, a 31-year-old Orlando man, had minor injuries, troopers said.

Maddux was placed under arrest at the hospital and will be booked into the Orange County Jail upon his release, troopers said.

The FHP says it is agency policy to follow suspected drunken drivers to try to prevent any possible accidents.

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