Troopers say Steven J. Lazaro-Ocampo was speeding and running red lights. Five people in the car reportedly begged him to pull over and let them out, but he refused.
TAMPA, Fla. — An 18-year-old driver was arrested after state troopers said he ignored passengers’ pleas to pull over during a pursuit in Tampa.
Just before 3 a.m. Tuesday, the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) said the driver of a white Nissan, later identified as Steven J. Lazaro-Ocampo, was going east on Interstate 4 at about 85 mph in a 55 mph zone. After confirming the speed on a radar, a sergeant who was conducting traffic enforcement in the area “pulled out and overtook” the car.
State troopers say Lazaro-Ocampo cut off another vehicle and took the Orient Road exit. That’s when the sergeant activated his emergency lights and sirens, initiating a pursuit.
Lazaro-Ocampo reportedly started speeding away in the Nissan and was running red lights. Eventually, state troopers say he got back on eastbound I-4 before going southbound on Interstate 75.
As the sergeant got close to a PIT, several people put their hands out of the window from the passenger windows. FHP said Lazaro-Ocampo then turned onto the right shoulder, stopped in the grass, got out and ran away.
State troopers say they were able to find Lazaro-Ocampo while he was running in the bushes along the side of I-75.
Five people who were sitting in the passenger seats left the Nissan and followed commands. They reportedly told state troopers that they were begging Lazaro-Ocampo to pull over and let them out, but he refused.
Lazaro-Ocampo is now facing multiple charges, including aggravated flee to elude, false imprisonment, possession of a controlled substance without a prescription and resisting without violence.
According to FHP, Lazaro-Ocampo also had an active warrant for robbery out of Polk County and previously fled from troopers in January in Polk County.
There was no damage to any cars, and no injuries were reported.