A suspect was killed in a collision during a police investigation in Tampa last night, officials have reported. The Tampa Police Department detailed in a statement that the incident occurred near N Ashley Dr and E Whiting St around 8 p.m. According to the preliminary information, an adult male suspect arrested in connection with an ongoing investigation attempted to flee from police custody on foot while handcuffed.
During the escape attempt, an officer used a taser on the fleeing suspect who then stumbled into the road and was fatally hit by a passing vehicle. The involved driver remained on the scene and is currently cooperating with law enforcement's investigation. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) will be handling the in-custody death investigation, while the Tampa Police's Traffic Homicide Unit will look into the crash itself. An internal review will also be conducted to confirm that all department policies and procedures were followed during the incident.
As a result of the ongoing probe, a stretch of N Ashley Drive was closed between E Jackson St and E Whiting St, authorities advised. This closure was intended to facilitate the investigation, possibly causing delays for the local traffic. Tampa Police have stated that this is an active investigation and updates will be shared as permissible by the progress of their inquiries. Residents may want to avoid the area and seek alternate routes until the scene has been cleared.
The incident raises questions around police pursuit policies and the safety protocols followed when apprehending suspects. The official inquiry is expected to shed light on the sequence of events leading up to the suspect's death and whether proper procedures were indeed adhered to.
