A traffic stop in south Hillsborough County spiraled into a multi-jurisdiction pursuit Monday, with a child riding in the backseat and two adults now facing charges, according to deputies. Investigators say the driver and passenger swapped seats mid-stop before the chase wound onto I-75 and eventually ended near the Paseo Al Mar overpass.
According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, deputies first spotted the vehicle near East College Avenue and 30th Street Southeast after identifying the driver as a habitual traffic offender. Video released by the agency shows deputies attempting an early stop, after which the occupants allegedly switched seats and headed onto I-75 north as additional units moved into position.
How deputies say the pursuit unfolded
The sheriff's office wrote that "a child was in the backseat" during the incident. Deputies say the vehicle initially came to a stop on I-75 south near the Paseo Al Mar overpass, then took off again during a second attempted stop on Big Bend Road. The Florida Highway Patrol took over the active response, and both adults were later taken into custody by deputies. The sheriff's post does not provide medical information about the child.
Suspects and charges
Authorities identified the driver as 40-year-old Lourdes Guerrero and the passenger as 40-year-old Rogelio Murillo, and said both were arrested and charged, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office. The agency notes that Guerrero's driver's license was canceled and that she has multiple prior convictions for driving while her license was suspended.
Legal notes
Under Florida law, fleeing or attempting to elude a law enforcement officer can carry felony penalties in some circumstances; see Florida Statute 316.1935 for the fleeing statute. The state's child-abuse and neglect code may also come into play when a minor's safety is at risk; see Florida Statute 827.03.
Why it matters locally
Pursuits on I-75 and nearby highways have become a recurring safety concern in the region, with agencies constantly weighing the danger of continuing a chase against the risk of letting suspects go. A recent Hoodline report, St. Pete teens hit 120 mph, highlighted how quickly these situations can escalate and put bystanders in harm's way.
Booking records are expected to detail the formal charges filed in Monday's case; for now, the sheriff's video reel remains the primary public account of the pursuit and arrests. The agency's post notes that anyone with additional information about the incident is typically asked to reach out to investigators.
