An attempt by the Broward Sheriff's Office to pull over a driver led to a high-speed pursuit in Fort Lauderdale on Monday.
It is unknown why the police were attempting to pull the car over in the first place, but whatever the reason, it is alleged that the three men inside of the car decided to evade police.
In the course of the chase, a traffic accident occurred when the pursued car crashed into another.
It is alleged that upon trying to initiate the traffic stop, the driver tried to run over two deputies and then took off on the Turnpike.
The driver could now be charged with aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer for attempting to use his car as a weapon against the officers. This would constitute two counts - one for each officer. The driver will also be charged with
fleeing and eluding, possibly aggravated due to the high-speed nature of the chase, and the fact that the pursuing police cars had to use their lights and sirens.
Both aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer and aggravated fleeing and eluding are second-degree felonies, both punishable by up to 15 years in prison.
Aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 3 years in state prison.
It is unclear what charges may be filed for the crash with the civilian's car. Aggravated assault is an intentional crime and requires the State to prove that the accused acted with the intent to cause harm or fear in the mind of the alleged victim. A traffic accident is just that - an accident. However, the driver will likely face reckless driving charges, possibly felony reckless driving if anybody in the other car was seriously injured.
I am a criminal defense attorney who serves Broward and Miami-Dade. I represent clients charged with crimes such as fleeing and eluding, aggravated assault, and reckless driving.
Contact me if you are in need of an attorney due to pending criminal charges.