Florida Highway Patrol troopers say an 18-year-old driver turned a ride across Tampa-area interstates yesterday into a high-speed scare, hitting about 85 mph in a 55 mph zone while his passengers begged him to stop and let them out. According to troopers, the white Nissan blew through red lights, cut off other drivers and kept going before finally pulling onto the shoulder, where the driver bailed out and ran. No injuries or vehicle damage were reported.
As reported by WTSP, the chase started when a Florida Highway Patrol sergeant clocked the Nissan’s speed with radar while it was heading east on Interstate 4 and flipped on emergency lights to pull the car over. Five passengers eventually complied with troopers’ commands and got out of the vehicle during the encounter, but troopers say the driver kept fleeing. A pit maneuver was attempted as the car exited onto Orient Road, then the Nissan returned to eastbound I‑4 before heading south on I‑75.
Troopers Say Driver Bailed And Ran Into Brush
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the driver finally stopped on the right shoulder and in the grass along I‑75, then jumped out and ran into nearby brush. Troopers later found him running along the interstate. During the pursuit, officers reported that passengers stuck their hands out of the windows near the pit attempt and told troopers they had been begging the driver to pull over and let them out. A sergeant managed to overtake the car, helping troopers bring the incident to a close before anyone was hurt.
Charges, Warrant And Prior Incident
Per WTSP, troopers identified the driver as Steven J. Lazaro-Ocampo and arrested him. He faces charges that include aggravated fleeing to elude, false imprisonment, possession of a controlled substance without a prescription and resisting without violence. Troopers also said Lazaro-Ocampo had an active robbery warrant out of Polk County and that he previously fled from troopers in Polk County in January.
What Happens Next
According to arrest reports, the charges are now moving into the regional court system, although booking details and any bond information were not immediately available. The Florida Highway Patrol reported no injuries to the passengers or other motorists and said there was no vehicle damage tied to the pursuit.
Passengers’ Accounts And Safety
Passengers told troopers they pleaded with Lazaro-Ocampo to pull over and let them out during the chase, according to the troopers’ account. Authorities located him on foot after the car was abandoned and booked him into custody, and they are treating the case as an active criminal investigation.
