A Lakeland driver is accused of turning the morning commute into a high-speed nightmare on Interstate 4 near Plant City, with troopers saying his SUV hit the median, flipped through a highway sign, and landed in the grass. The violent wreck, which witnesses tied to reckless driving, briefly shut down westbound lanes and pulled troopers and rescue crews into an emergency response.
Troopers: Driver Was Speeding and Swerving
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 37-year-old Jeffery Anglin of Lakeland was seen aggressively weaving through traffic and even using the shoulder to pass other vehicles just before the crash. Investigators say his SUV was clocked at about 100 mph in a 70-mph zone. Anglin was arrested and is facing charges that include reckless driving with serious injury, fleeing to elude resulting in serious bodily injury, and operating a vehicle at 100 mph or more, according to an arrest report cited by WFLA.
Crash Shut Westbound Lanes On I-4
State traffic records show the wreck was reported on westbound I-4 in the Plant City area and led to temporary lane closures while emergency crews worked the scene. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles' online incident viewer documented the closures and activity as troopers responded. FLHSMV entries list westbound I-4 incidents for Plant City that morning.
Passenger Hospitalized
Hillsborough County Fire Rescue crews had to extract a 37-year-old woman who was riding in the SUV and rush her to a nearby hospital. Authorities say she suffered a broken femur along with other injuries. Details from first responders and the arrest report describe her removal from the vehicle and subsequent transport for treatment, as reported by WFLA.
What The Law Carries
Florida law does not treat high-speed runaways kindly, especially when someone gets hurt. Fleeing or attempting to elude law enforcement can be elevated when serious bodily injury is involved. If prosecutors determine the fleeing caused that level of harm, the case can be charged as aggravated fleeing or eluding, a felony that carries hefty penalties and, in some circumstances, mandatory minimum prison time. The full legal language is outlined in Florida Statute 316.1935.
Investigation Ongoing
Troopers say the investigation is still active, and more charges could be filed as they sort through evidence and witness statements. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles has the incident listed in its public traffic viewer, which is often used to track closures and hazards along the I-4 corridor. Anyone who was in the area that morning, especially drivers with dashcam footage, is urged to contact the Florida Highway Patrol.
