Published on Wednesday, July 11, 2007
in the Miami Herald

Biker accused of trying to hit trooper

A North Lauderdale teen was arrested Wednesday morning after authorities said he tried to run down a Florida Highway Patrol trooper Tuesday night.

Jonathan Klippel, 19, faces charges of aggravated battery, aggravated fleeing and eluding, reckless driving and no motorcycle endorsement. He was booked into Palm Beach County Jail.

According to the FHP, the incident began at 10:49 p.m. Tuesday at the intersection of Lake Worth Road and U.S. 441 in Palm Beach County.

Trooper Robert Boody attempted to stop Klippel, who, FHP says, was doing 100 miles per hour on a high-powered Honda CBR 1000 sports bike. Klippel had a passenger, Angelica Crawford, 23, of Coral Springs.

When Boody caught up with Klippel, Klippel attempted to run him over. The trooper sustained injuries and was treated at Wellington Regional Medical Center. In the process, Crawford was thrown off the back of the bike.

''She was thrown off the bike,'' said FHP Sgt. Jorge Delahoz, ``and he just kept going.''

Crawford was also taken to the hospital and treated for her injuries.

Six hours later, authorities caught up with and arrested Klippel in North Lauderdale.