VIDEO: Florida man leads FHP through 3-county chase, fires at troopers
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — A suspect wanted for stealing a 2007 Ford truck led authorities on a high-speed chase through several Florida counties, firing several shots at troopers until he was apprehended.
Florida Highway Patrol officials say 22-year-old Travis Duane Lovett of Bushnell, FL tried to run over two Citrus County Sheriff’s deputies after they tried to pull him over around 9:30am Sunday.
FHP joined the pursuit and followed Lovett into Hernando County where authorities say he fired three rounds from a back window of the vehicle at the troopers. One bullet struck a trooper’s front windshield.
The chase continued into Sumter county where authorities say they were able to perform a PIT maneuver, causing the suspect to flip his vehicle several times.
Lovett, who troopers say was not wearing a seat belt, was ejected from the truck and airlifted to the hospital. He was hospitalized until May 2, four days after the chase and crash.
Lovett was charged with three counts of attempted murder of a law enforcement officer, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, discharging a firearm from a moving vehicle, fleeing and eluding, felony drug possession, reckless driving, DUI, and driving while license suspended.
No troopers were injured during the chase.
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