A late Sunday night crash on southbound I-275 turned into a chaotic roadside struggle that officers say left at least one trooper bloodied and the driver under a Baker Act psychiatric hold. Troopers identified the driver as 31-year-old Alexis Shauntel McCants, who they say was the only occupant of a damaged vehicle found stopped on the inside shoulder near mile marker 46. The encounter clogged traffic while investigators worked the scene and cleared the highway.
Florida Highway Patrol troopers said they were called to the crash around 10:42 p.m. and found a white 2014 Ford Fusion with heavy front-end damage. According to troopers deploying a taser in both probe and drive-stun modes, McCants continued to resist efforts to detain her. The report states one trooper suffered a cut to a hand and multiple open wounds on arms and elbows, and that blood covered a trooper's uniform. McCants reportedly declined medical assistance at the scene.
Officials say McCants then ran into traffic and walked toward active lanes while shouting that officers should “shoot her” and that she no longer wanted to live, according to the report. She was later taken to St. Joseph’s Hospital main campus under a Baker Act order and faces charges that include battery on a law enforcement officer and resisting an officer with violence, per a report on the charges.
Charges and legal ramifications
Battery on a law-enforcement officer and resisting an officer with violence are felony offenses under state law. Under Florida Statutes Section 784.07, certain assaults or batteries against public servants are reclassified and can rise to third-degree felonies, and Florida Statutes Section 843.01 makes resisting an officer with violence a third-degree felony that can carry prison time and fines.
Investigation underway
The Florida Highway Patrol says the incident remains under investigation as troopers and prosecutors review body-worn camera footage and other evidence. Officials have not released further booking details or a timetable for formal charges beyond what investigators have reported so far.
