BROWARD COUNTY, Fla. (CBS12) — More information has been revealed about a deadly traffic crash that shut down lanes on the Florida Turnpike South near Sunrise Boulevard.
CBS12’s news partners WSVN reported that a 70-year-old driver, described as innocent, was tragically killed in the incident.
The Broward County Sheriff’s Office said the crash began shortly after 4 p.m. Thursday, when deputies assisted the Coconut Creek Police Department with a stolen vehicle from Fort Lauderdale. WSVN identified the vehicle as a white Ford-250.
BSO said their involvement in the stolen car began near Sample Road and the Florida Turnpike. According to WSVN, officers attempted a traffic stop in Deerfield Beach, but the driver refused to stop and collided with marked BSO and Coconut Creek vehicles.
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A pursuit then ensued due to aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer. WSVN reported that heavily armed law enforcement officers pursued the vehicle as it entered the southbound Florida Turnpike.
WSVN stated that Florida Highway Patrol investigators said the chase ended near Mile Marker 58 when the driver, identified as 52-year-old Anna Giza, slammed into a wall after crashing into a dark-colored sedan.
Paramedics with Tamarac Fire Rescue transported Giza to Broward Health Medical Center. WSVN reported she was seen wearing a neck brace as she was wheeled into the hospital.
Giza was later arrested and now faces multiple charges, including felony murder, grand theft auto, aggravated battery, and assault.