A dangerous, high-speed chase came to a dramatic conclusion Saturday morning after a coordinated effort by Tampa Police and the Florida Highway Patrol stopped an intoxicated driver traveling the wrong way on Interstate 4.
TAMPA, Fla. – Quick action by the Tampa Police Department and the Florida Highway Patrol prevented a potentially deadly crash early Saturday morning, successfully stopping an intoxicated wrong-way driver on Interstate 4.
At approximately 2:30 a.m. on September 13, Tampa Police received a report of a vehicle traveling westbound in the eastbound lanes of I-4. Officers quickly located a silver Toyota Camry going about 60 mph against the flow of traffic. The driver, identified as 24-year-old Kristian Beall, ignored officers’ attempts to pull her over and continued to flee, narrowly avoiding a collision with a patrol car.
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Recognizing the extreme danger, Tampa Police and FHP troopers worked together to bring the situation to a safe conclusion. After an initial tactical maneuver by an FHP trooper failed to stop the vehicle, Tampa Police officers performed a Precision Immobilization Technique (PIT) maneuver. The action successfully stopped the Camry, and police and FHP vehicles boxed it in.
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Beall was arrested after failing a field sobriety test. Her blood alcohol content (BAC) was later measured at .199 and .202, more than double the legal limit of 0.08.
“I am incredibly proud of the quick and decisive action taken by our officers and our partners at the Florida Highway Patrol,” said Chief Lee Bercaw. “Their seamless collaboration and dedication to public safety allowed them to stop this individual before there were serious, if not fatal, injuries.”
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Beall faces multiple charges, including driving under the influence (BAC over 0.15), aggravated fleeing to elude, and fleeing to elude at high speed. She was transported to Orient Road Jail.
Chief Bercaw emphasized the importance of choosing a safe alternative to drinking and driving. “There is absolutely no excuse for driving under the influence,” he added. “If you choose to have adult beverages, make the right choice to protect yourself and everyone else on the road.”
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