Lakeland man leads chase, flips car after trooper stops him from driving into roadblock: FHP

LAKELAND, Fla. (WFLA) — A Lakeland man was arrested Saturday morning after he led a high speed chase, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

An FHP arrest report said a trooper spotted Eric SanJavier Perez, 34, of Lakeland speeding on US-98 at nearly double the speed limit in a 45-mph zone.

After watching Perez nearly drive into a grassy shoulder, the trooper said he tried to conduct a traffic stop, only for the driver to speed off with his headlights turned off.

The FHP said as the pursuit ensued, Perez drove on the wrong side of the road and nearly crashed.

According to the report, the trooper spotted a crash scene ahead of him and Perez. To keep Perez from driving into an active roadblock, the trooper performed a PIT maneuver.

The FHP said this caused Perez drive off road and flip his vehicle. He was later taken to Lakeland Regional Hospital for injuries sustained in the crash.

Perez was charged with fleeing with disregard of safety to persons or property, according to the report.

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