Published on Monday, March 19, 2007
in the CBS4 News

Earlier Accident May Have Led To Trooper Crash

The search has been called off for the driver of an S-U-V who slammed into a Florida Highway Patrol trooper’s car on I-95 and then took off.

The trooper was stopped in the southbound emergency lane near the Cypress Creek Road exit investigating an accident when his car was hit from behind.

After the collision the driver bailed out of his of vehicle, slid down an embankment, and ran into the surrounding neighborhood where investigators believe he got into another vehicle and was driven to Dania Beach.

Investigators believe the driver of the S-U-V was have been in an accident moments before the crash. They’re now checking to see if a tire blow out from that accident caused the driver to lose control and slam into the trooper’s vehicle.

Two girls who were inside the S-U-V said they only met the man a couple of weeks ago. They describe him as a black male in his mid 20's, 5'7'", 225-250 lbs, and wearing a white oversized t shirt and blue jeans.

The search, which involved officers from the Broward Sheriffs Office, Ft. Lauderdale Police, and FHP, was called off just after 3 p.m.

The trooper involved in the accident was treated at a local hospital and released.