Runaway BMW on I95 spans 3 counties

Runaway BMW on 95 in spans 3 counties

Indian River County, Fla- The Florida Highway Patrol is reporting that there was a runaway car on I95  today that spanned all 3 counties.

Joseph Daniel Cooper, 28, of Palm Coast, called 911 about 1 p.m. He said the car was going 100 mph and his gas pedal was stuck, according to an FHP report.

The driver called from mile marker 104, near County Road 713 in Martin County.

The incident happened on Feb 12 around 12:46 p.m. The location was between mm110-mm155.  The Trooper was stationary near mm120. He then received a BOLO from dispatch regarding a black BMW traveling northbound on Interstate 95 around mile marker 104.  Then, he was advised that vehicle was traveling about 100 MPH and the driver was unable to stop the vehicle.

The trooper was able to get behind the black BMW. It was traveling around 92 mph. As they approached mm 120  the St Lucie Sheriff joined and assisted with traffic.

The black BMW continued traveling around 85 to 95 MPH. The driver kept making hand gestures advising he was unable to stop the vehicle.

The Trooper continued traveling northbound on Interstate 95. Other FHP units helped with traffic and blocked the entrances. The vehicle continued traveling at high rates of speed and the driver was unable to stop.

Around mile marker 138, Sergeant Lanam threw the stop sticks to slow down the vehicle, however the driver of the black BMW avoided the stop sticks.

The stop sticks were thrown again around mile marker 147, this time the 2 right tires blew out. The black BMW slowed down to about 60 MPH and continued traveling northbound.

Around mile marker 151 the stop sticks were thrown again to hit the left 2 tires. All four tires of the vehicle blew out and the vehicle slowed to 40 MPH.

The driver was unable to stop the vehicle and the vehicle was traveling on all 4 rims with no tire.

Around mile marker 154 the trooper was authorized to PIT the vehicle. The PIT maneuver, or Pursuit Intervention Technique, is a pursuit tactic by which a pursuing car can force a fleeing car to abruptly turn sideways, causing the driver to lose control and stop.

However, at that time the vehicle started swerving and came to a stop around mile marker 155 on the inside lane.

 The driver came out of the vehicle and was positively identified as Joseph Daniel Cooper.

 Mr. Cooper was taken to the Indian River Sheriff’s Office  to wait for his dad to pick him up. Upon arrival, Mr. Cooper felt pain on his chest.  Fire rescue was called and took  him to Indian River Medical Center.

 

TreasureCoast

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  • Posted 6 years ago

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