CHAMPIONSGATE, Fla. – A fleeing car crashed, snarling traffic at one of the busiest I-4 interchanges in Central Florida.
One person was arrested, but two other people escaped, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
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The crash happened Thursday evening in the westbound lanes of I-4 at County Road 532 in the ChampionsGate area.
The Florida Highway Patrol says a trooper saw the car, a Nissan Sentra, improperly passing on State Road 417. When they tried to stop the vehicle, FHP says the car fled, driving at up to 100 mph and ignoring lights and sirens.
The trooper attempted several PIT maneuvers to stop the car as he pursued across State Road 417, on and off State Road 429 and onto I-4. Several vehicles were also hit during the pursuit.
The Nissan eventually hit the rear of a pickup truck on I-4 and crashed. Two males got out of the car and escaped into the woods. Troopers say they were not found, even with K-9 units and aviation support.
The driver of the car, identified as Jonathan Desroches, was arrested.
Troopers say they found a handgun with ammunition, and a bag containing a white crystal-type substance in the car. Troopers say the temporary tag on the car did not match the actual vehicle identification number.
Several people had to be treated for injuries at the scene, and at least two people had to be transported to an area hospital for neck and back injuries.
Three lanes and the exit off-ramp were closed but later reopened.
Desroches was taken to Osceola County Jail. He’s facing a slew of charges, including possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, aggravated fleeing with injury or damage, flee or or elude law enforcement at high speeds, and reckless driving causing damage to property.