TAMPA, Fla. – The Tampa Police Department (TPD) is investigating the death of an adult male suspect who was fatally struck by a vehicle shortly after escaping police custody and being tased by an officer Tuesday night.
The incident occurred just after 8:00 p.m. near the intersection of N Ashley Drive and E Whiting Street. According to a preliminary investigation, the suspect had been arrested on charges related to an ongoing investigation. While speaking to officers and still in handcuffs, the suspect suddenly pulled away and fled on foot.
As the suspect attempted to escape, an officer deployed a taser. The suspect subsequently fell into the roadway, directly into oncoming traffic, where he was fatally struck by a vehicle. He was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The driver of the vehicle remained at the location and is cooperating fully with authorities.
Due to the nature of the incident, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) will take the lead on the in-custody death investigation, per policy. The Tampa Police Department Traffic Homicide Unit will conduct a separate investigation into the fatal crash.
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