Video Shows Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Dragged by Fleeing Car
By: Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel
ORLANDO — A Florida Highway Patrol trooper was dragged about 100 feet from a car fleeing a traffic stop early this morning, according to FHP officials, and one person now faces a charge of attempted first-degree murder.
The incident happened around 3 a.m. as the trooper Victor Rivera, 29, attempted to stop a 2014 Toyota Corolla on State Road 50 just west of Orange Avenue, which was blocked by a train passing through downtown, according to FHP spokesperson Lt. Kim Montes. Forced to stop, the driver, who has yet to be identified by FHP, exited the vehicle as Rivera gave chase on foot while passenger, 19-year-old Christopher Stephan Lewis of Apopka, remained in the vehicle.
The chase led the driver back to the vehicle where Rivera attempted to detain him, at which point Lewis moved into the driver’s seat and began to drive away dragging both Rivera and the original driver with the moving car. While the original driver was able to get back into the vehicle, Rivera was dragged about 100 feet before letting go.
