Trooper injured after pursuit on I-95 in Brevard ends with crash into guardrail, FHP says

Trooper injured after pursuit on I-95 in Brevard County

A trooper was injured after a pursuit on Interstate 95 ended with a crash into a guardrail, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The trooper was attempting to pull over a reckless driver and performed a PIT maneuver to stop the vehicle, FHP said. The FHP patrol car and a Mercedes-Benz left the roadway and hit a guardrail.

BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. - A trooper was injured on Christmas Day after a pursuit on Interstate 95 in Brevard County ended in a crash, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. 

What we know:

The trooper was trying to pull over the driver of a Mercedes-Benz who was driving recklessly in the southbound lanes of the interstate in Volusia County, FHP said. 

When the vehicle didn't stop, the trooper pursued the vehicle into Titusville, according to an FHP report. 

The Mercedes-Benz and the FHP patrol car ran off the roadway and hit the guardrail after the trooper performed a PIT maneuver to stop the vehicle, according to FHP. 

A trooper was injured after a pursuit of a reckless driver ended with a crash on I-95. (Courtesy: Chloe Isabella Przywara)

The trooper was transported to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. He's expected to be released on Friday. 

Both the driver – Sundara Garza, 19 – and the passenger – Yazmin Barber, 21 – of the Mercedes-Benz were taken into custody and are facing fleeing or eluding police charges. Barber is wanted on a warrant in another county. 

Garza is charged with two counts of reckless driving, two counts of aggravated fleeing at a high speed, one count of driving with a suspended license and two counts of dangerous excessive speeding. 

The Mercedes-Benz was traveling at a speed of more than 130 mph, according to the arrest affidavit. 

A trooper was injured after a pursuit of a reckless driver ended with a crash on I-95. (Courtesy: Jay Grunenfelder)

What is a PIT maneuver? 

A PIT maneuver – or Precision Immobilization Technique – occurs when law enforcement uses the front bumper of its patrol vehicle to make contact with the suspect's back bumper. 

Each law enforcement's PIT policy differs, FOX 35's Marie Edinger reported. Florida Highway Patrol said a PIT is its primary technique to stop a pursuit, however, several factors need to be aligned. Roadway conditions, traffic volume, occupants and speed are all factors to be taken into consideration. 

"The greater the speed, the greater the likelihood of injury or death," FHP's PIT policy states, Edinger said. 

Part of I-95 shut down

The crash led to the closure of part of I-95 southbound in Brevard County. 

Southbound lanes of the interstate were blocked at State Road 46 for a few hours while crews worked to clear the crash, according to authorities.

The roadway has since reopened. 

What's next:

FHP is continuing to investigate the crash. The speeds of the vehicles remain under investigation.