PORT ST. LUCIE — The suspect in a police chase on Interstate 95 in St. Lucie County Friday that led to the loss of life of a Florida Freeway Patrol trooper and truck driver has been arrested and billed for his involvement.
X/Gov. Ron DeSantis
FHP declared Saturday that 30-12 months-previous Michael Anthony Addison of Lauderdale by The Sea was arrested for the fatalities of Trooper Zachary Fink and the semi-truck driver, who has not been determined.
Addison was booked into St. Lucie County Jail with no bond, going through numerous costs, including vehicular homicide, felony homicide, driving without the need of a license leading to death or significant injury, and aggravated fleeing to elude with serious injuries or dying. On top of that, he experienced a warrant out for his arrest from Broward County for an aggravated battery charge.
Early Friday, a St. Lucie County deputy intially tried to quit Addison when he was driving two times the pace restrict on I-95, but he disengaged various minutes afterwards. Fink then picked up the pursuit, seeking to cease him out of worry that he was endangering other drivers, FHP Col. Gary Howze mentioned.
Just after Addison created an abrupt U-change into the reverse route of website traffic, Fink followed and turned into the path of a tractor-trailer. The truck driver died at the scene and Fink was airlifted to a area medical center where by he died, FHP said.
Gov. Ron DeSantis mentioned on social media that “our hearts go out to” the trooper’s family and the Florida Highway Patrol.
Fink, 26, was a three-12 months freeway patrol veteran, starting in Orlando right before transferring to his hometown in the Port St. Lucie spot. He is survived by a fiancee and his mothers and fathers, Howze explained.
“We intend to keep the Defendant thoroughly accountable for the lives he’s taken and the immeasurable suffering he has induced. The Florida Highway Patrol, as perfectly as the liked types and good friends of both equally Trooper Fink and the driver of the semi-truck, acknowledge that this is not the conclusion of the reduction suffered,” said Govt Director Kerner. “Trooper Fink gave his life to keep the Defendant accountable and retaining our neighborhood safe from hurt, and we will get the job done to make certain Trooper Fink’s intent is achieved.”
“Yesterday was a working day of tragedy. It is unachievable to summarize the feeling of decline felt due to the reckless selections of one particular specific with a entire disregard for the basic safety of other people,” extra Howze. “This prison selected his actions that took two people from their households and cherished ones. He price Florida 1 of its best selfless heroes in Trooper Fink. With his arrest, this repeat prison will not escape the consequences of his actions and will be held accountable.”
“All law enforcement place their life on the line every day to safeguard our residents. This tragedy could have been prevented if Michael Addison adopted the rule of law and complied with regulation enforcement. Many thanks to the mixed attempts of legislation enforcement, he will be held accountable for his steps,” mentioned St. Lucie County Sheriff Keith Pearson.
