Authorities say a Hernando County man turned a serious overnight crash into a full-blown highway spectacle when he allegedly tried to climb into a medical helicopter on I-75 north of Brooksville early Friday. The 28-year-old, identified by deputies as Riley Ferrer, reportedly ran past first responders while crews were preparing two seriously injured people for air transport and tried to get into the BayFlight helicopter. Troopers say Ferrer told them he had “seen the anti-Christ” just before losing control of his pickup truck. He was taken to Tampa General Hospital’s Brooksville campus for medical clearance and later booked into the Hernando County Detention Center.
Local investigators and jail records indicate the Florida Highway Patrol and Hernando County deputies handled both the crash and the attempted helicopter incident, shutting down the northbound lanes so the medevac could land safely. According to FOX 13, troopers say Ferrer’s truck veered off I-75, struck another vehicle and overturned into the woods. County booking logs on the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office site list three counts of resisting officers without violence and one count of burglary tied to entering an occupied conveyance, according to local records.
Crash on I-75 and the medevac response
Officials say the crash happened shortly after midnight as Ferrer was driving northbound on I-75. The two occupants of the second vehicle suffered significant injuries and were prepared for immediate air transport from the interstate. A BayFlight air ambulance set down on the highway after northbound lanes were closed to give the crew access to the patients. Coverage by The Independent corroborates the timeline and notes that authorities moved quickly to secure the scene for the medical evacuation.
Hospital clearance and booking
Troopers escorted Ferrer to Tampa General Hospital’s Brooksville campus after the crash. According to investigators, he initially refused to cooperate and had to be physically led into the building before doctors could clear him. FOX 13 reports deputies had to force him to remain seated while medical staff evaluated him, and he was later taken to the Hernando County Detention Center. Tampa General lists its Brooksville campus at 17240 Cortez Blvd. for local emergency services.
Charges and legal context
Hernando County jail records show Ferrer faces three counts of resisting officers without violence, along with one burglary count alleging he entered an occupied conveyance while a patient transport was underway. Under Florida law, burglary involving a conveyance with someone inside is treated as a second-degree felony in many circumstances, a classification outlined in state statute 810.02. Records from the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office show a $3,000 bond on the resisting charges, while the burglary-related hold is listed as no bond.
Authorities have not publicly released an update on the condition of the two injured people who were flown from the scene. FOX 13 and other outlets report that the Florida Highway Patrol provided crash details to local media, while The Independent notes it contacted FHP for additional comment but had not received a response at the time of its report.
