A man was arrested by the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office (HCSO) on Monday after evading a traffic stop and leading a chase on Interstate 75 that culminated in a wrong-way incident, according to several sources. WFLA reports that Lamar Hood, 42, tried to escape deputies near the intersection of I-75 and I-275, driving against traffic on one of the state's busiest highways.
During the pursuit, FOX 13 News indicates the HCSO Aviation Unit was able to follow the suspect as he navigated the wrong way on the highway ramp from Fowler Avenue and then proceeded in the eastbound lane of the same avenue before he turned onto Riverhills Road, a sequence captured on video; Hood later abandoned his car behind a gas station on Fowler Avenue and attempted to flee on foot.
Authorities were quick to respond, closing in for a ground pursuit after the suspect exited the vehicle, "I am continually proud of our deputies and their commitment to protecting our community," Sheriff Chad Chronister expressed his commendation of the arrest in a Facebook post by the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, praising the cooperation between the aviation and ground units that influenced the outcome.
The incident led to Hood facing several serious charges including aggravated fleeing to elude, reckless driving, leaving the scene of a crash with injury, and resisting officer without violence these counts were detailed on the HCSO arrest inquiry website the office has emphasized that such actions that jeopardize public safety will result in the full weight of legal consequences being applied as affirmed by Sheriff Chronister's statement that "HCSO will not tolerate actions that jeopardize public safety, and those who do so will face the consequences of their actions," according to Facebook post by the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office.
