FHP trooper chases down Miami driver who hit cruiser

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A Miami driver is accused of intentionally hitting a Florida Highway Patrol trooper’s cruiser.

FHP released dashcam video on Wednesday showing trooper Vanessa Franceschi making a traffic stop on April 24. She is seen returning to her patrol car, and the vehicle is pushed forward when the driver hit her. 

Franceschi is seen chasing the driver in a Honda Civic down the Florida Turnpike, and is heard saying, “I just got hit … he rear-ended me. He reversed and took off. At one point, WSVN reports, the driver led her off the highway and went back onto the Turnpike. 

She eventually performed a PIT maneuver and the Honda stopped. Other troopers swarmed the suspect’s vehicle and arrested the driver, identified as Raumel Quntero. Troopers said Franceschi had minor injuries during the crash. 

“The video says it all,” Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Joe Sanchez said to WSVN. “She did exactly what she was trained to do.”

Quntero faces charges including aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer, felony fleeing and eluding and leaving the scene of a crash.