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ORLANDO, Fla. – A 19-year-old driver of a BMW allegedly involved in street racing and a chase that left a trooper hurt in Orlando early Saturday is facing several charges, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Three others who were in the vehicle – including a teenager – were also arrested.
Troopers said the driver, Bryce Akerman-Byers, was arrested on charges of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, aggravated fleeing to elude law enforcement at high speed resulting in injuries, burglary, trespass, and participation in street racing. Dalton Lee Jones, 21, Adrian Jacob Hobbs, 20, and a 17-year-old boy were taken into custody on burglary and trespass charges, FHP said in a news release.
Authorities said the incident began at around 12:40 a.m. after a trooper tried to stop the BMW for speeding in the area of Southport Dr and Palmbay Drive, but the vehicle drove off, almost hitting another trooper who was in the area standing outside of his vehicle. “Since the driver of the vehicle had already been identified, a pursuit was not initiated for safety reasons,” troopers said in a statement.
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However, at 1:41 a.m., another trooper saw the vehicle at another location involved in street racing activities. That trooper tried to pull over the vehicle, but the vehicle drove off again, and troopers engaged in a chase.
FHP said the pursuit continued throughout the south Orlando area, and within Orlando International Airport property, until the suspects abandoned the vehicle and ran off. With the help of the Orlando Police Department and the Orange County Sheriff’s Department helicopter, the suspects were taken into custody on airport property after the suspects reportedly scaled a fence in an attempt to hide.
During the chase, FHP said a trooper crashed into a large tree, disabling the trooper’s vehicle. The trooper was taken to Advent Health-Lake Nona with minor injuries and has since been released.
Details regarding the burglary and trespassing charges the four are facing have not been released at this time.