What started as a quiet early-morning traffic check on Poinciana Boulevard turned into a rolling mess on Interstate 4, according to Osceola County deputies, and ended weeks later with an arrest in Kissimmee. A 26-year-old man is now in jail after a white Tesla allegedly rammed patrol cars, blew its tires on stop sticks, and was abandoned on the highway. Deputies say the case drew a multi-jurisdiction response with K-9 units and spike-strip deployment before they finally tracked their suspect to a neighborhood home.
How deputies say the chase began
The incident kicked off around 4:20 a.m. on Feb. 11 near Poinciana Boulevard and U.S. 192, when a deputy spotted a white Tesla whose driver appeared to be asleep behind the wheel, according to WFTV. Investigators say the driver woke up, then took off, striking a patrol car as he fled west on U.S. 192.
From there, the Tesla headed onto I-4, even after spike strips punctured its tires, the station reported. Deputies say the car eventually slammed into a barrier and was abandoned on the interstate, with the driver nowhere to be found when law enforcement reached the scene.
Arrest at Tamarind Park
Detectives later identified the driver as Rocci M. Berry Jr., 26, and arrested him on Feb. 23 at a residence in Tamarind Park, according to FOX 35 Orlando. The outlet reports that when deputies arrived, Berry ran out the back door but was intercepted by deputies and a K-9 before he could get away.
Berry was booked into the Osceola County Jail on multiple charges, including aggravated battery on a police officer, fleeing and eluding, and resisting with violence, FOX 35 Orlando reports. The station also notes that Berry was wanted on an outstanding warrant tied to a prior DUI arrest.
Traffic disruption and police response
Officials say stop sticks were used during the pursuit and damaged the Tesla's tires before the crash on I-4, briefly disrupting traffic in the area, according to WFTV. Deputies described a coordinated effort that involved multiple agencies, tire-deflation devices, and K-9 teams as they worked to contain the situation.
Authorities have not released additional information about injuries. The Osceola County Sheriff's Office says the investigation is still active and that it is interested in any video or witnesses who can help fill in the remaining gaps from that February morning.
Charges and next steps
Booking records list aggravated battery on a police officer, fleeing and eluding, and resisting with violence among the charges, and Berry remains in custody while prosecutors review the case, according to FOX 35 Orlando. The sheriff's office has provided basic details to local media and says any further updates will come through its official channels as the case moves forward.
Deputies are asking anyone with dash-cam, doorbell or other footage from the Feb. 11 encounter to contact investigators through the Osceola County Sheriff's Office, which posts news and press information on its site, the sheriff's office. They say their completed findings will be forwarded to the state attorney's office for charging decisions.
