Hillsborough man drove wrong way, tried to ram patrol car in 100-mph chase: FHP
Courtesy: Florida Highway Patrol
GIBSONTON, Fla. - A man was arrested after Florida Highway Patrol troopers said he led them on a high-speed chase through Hillsborough County, drove against traffic, sideswiped another vehicle and tried to ram a patrol car off the road.
Johnathan Porubcan, 38, was arrested Thursday following the pursuit, according to Florida Highway Patrol arrest affidavits.
Hillsborough County FHP chase arrest
The backstory:
A trooper saw a Ford truck speeding at 91 mph in a 70-mph zone near mile marker 251 on northbound Interstate 75 in Riverview. Shortly after 10:30 p.m., the trooper overtook the truck and activated emergency lights and siren to pull the truck over, FHP said.
Instead of stopping, the driver, Porubcan, is accused of accelerating and trying to get away.
The pursuit continued north on I-75 before the truck exited onto State Road 60 and headed west, according to the affidavit.
The truck later turned south onto U.S. 41 and continued fleeing.
High-speed pursuit
What we know:
When the trooper tried to end the pursuit using a PIT maneuver, investigators said Porubcan intentionally swerved toward the patrol vehicle in an attempt to prevent the maneuver and ram the trooper’s vehicle off the road, according to FHP.
The affidavit states the truck also reached speeds of more than 100 mph during the pursuit, drove in opposite lanes of traffic and ran multiple red lights while other vehicles were in the area.
As the pursuit continued south on U.S. 41 near Riverview Drive, the truck tried to pass between two vehicles traveling southbound and sideswiped one of them, according to FHP.
Porubcan continued driving south after the collision and the trooper again moved in to attempt a PIT maneuver, according to the report.
The truck tried to make another turn, but because of damage from the crash, Porubcan was unable to stop, crashing the truck into a ditch near railroad tracks, troopers said.
Troopers say Porubcan then ran away along Pennsylvania Avenue and crossed U.S. 41 near a motel in Gibsonton.
Troopers later found Porubcan lying on the grass and took him into custody, according to the report.
Terrified passenger
Dig deeper:
A woman who was riding in the truck was identified in the affidavit as a victim in the case.
The passenger told investigators she repeatedly asked Porubcan to stop and let her out because she was afraid for her safety.
According to the affidavit, Porubcan responded, "I got this."
After he was taken into custody, Porubcan was sweating heavily and eventually vomited. He also displayed body tremors and complained of rib and shoulder pain, according to a second affidavit.
Porubcan was taken to St. Joseph's Hospital South in Riverview for treatment and was later cleared, FHP said.
While at the hospital, a trooper questioned Porubcan about possible impairment.
Investigators said Porubcan told them he had three shots of whiskey and Coke and smoked marijuana around 2 p.m. that day.
The trooper began to conduct seated field sobriety exercises after Porubcan initially agreed to participate. Porubcan later refused, citing rib pain and declining to sit upright and open his eyes, according to the affidavit.
Porubcan also refused to provide a voluntary blood sample, according to the report.
Felony charges
Porubcan was booked into the Hillsborough County Jail following the incident. He faces the following charges:
- Aggravated fleeing to elude causing serious bodily injury or death
- Aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer
- Hit-and-run involving property damage
- DUI
- Resisting an officer without violence
- Driving with a canceled, suspended or revoked license
- False imprisonment
What we don't know:
Authorities have not released details about the driver in the vehicle that Porubcan sideswiped along U.S. 41.
The Source: The information in this story was gathered from arrest affidavits provided by the Florida Highway Patrol.