Published on Friday, April 6, 2007
in the Tallahassee Democrat

Teen pulled out of flaming car after high-speed encounter

A 17-year-old was pulled out of a car last night by a Florida Highway Patrol trooper and EMS workers after he ran into a deputy’s empty patrol car that caught fire.

The teen was clocked by Trooper John Baas going 102 mph at Thomasville Road and Kerry Forest Parkway about 10:45 p.m., said John Bagnardi, FHP spokesman.

Baas put on his lights and sirens as he attempted to stop the teen in his black 2006 Mustang GT, Bagnardi said. The Mustang slowed then sped up. Bass lost sight of the car as he decided not to chase the 17-year-old.

Witnesses then stopped the trooper after the teen sped away onto Tallahassee Drive, where he ran into the patrol car of a Leon County Sheriff’s deputy. The deputy was inside his home, asleep.

The deputy's car caught on fire. Baas shielded the teen until EMS arrived and they pulled him out of the car.

The 17-year-old is in critical condition in the Intensive Care Unit of Tallahassee Memorial Hospital.

Baas is OK. “He got a lot of blood on him from pulling him out,” Bagnardi said.

The 17-year-old could be arrested if he survives.

“We’ll do the appropriate charges at the conclusion of everything,” Bagnardi said.