FHP: I-75 Crash Driver Suspended License, Tried to Escape Stop
TAMPA, Florida (FloridaToday.news) — A crash involving a Florida Highway Patrol vehicle that resulted in injuries and reinforcements on Interstate 75 in Tampa has been resolved.
Wilfredo Cordova Diaz, 35, of Ruskin, has been identified as the driver of a 2009 BMW SUV who was involved in an accident with two FHP troops. Diaz was allegedly driving with a suspended license, dodging a stop.
At 3:17 p.m., military personnel attempted to stop a driver for following Interstate 4 too closely near Tonotosassa Road and having window tint that was darker than allowed by law, according to FHP. He allegedly ran westbound on I-4 and drove north on I-75.
Diaz allegedly drove away from the soldiers at over 120 miles per hour.
Florida Highway Patrol
When the driver pulled up south of Fletcher Avenue, he slowed sharply and drove into a grassy median to try to turn around.
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As FHP officials attempted to enter the median, a K-9 block on a Chevy Tahoe failed to properly brake on the grass and crashed into another K-9 block on a Ford Explorer.
The Tahoe swerved on the side of I-75, and the Explorer tipped over to the middle.
Florida Highway Patrol
The soldiers sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were taken to the nearest hospital. The K-9s suffered minor injuries and were taken to a veterinarian where they were treated and released.
The crash slowed traffic on both the southbound and northbound lanes of I-75, but the roadway cleared at 6:11 p.m.
Police also found more than $9,000 inside the SUV, as well as one kilogram of cocaine.
According to the FHP, Diaz was taken to the Hillsborough County Jail on charges including escape and tax evasion, driving with a suspended license as a common traffic offender, and several drug-related charges.
