LAUDERDALE LAKES, Fla. – A Florida Highway Patrol trooper crashed into a sign outside of an Oakland Park office building during a cross-county chase that would eventually end in Lauderdale Lakes Tuesday morning.
That trooper suffered minor injuries.
The chase began all the way in the West Kendall area; authorities said two young men stole a BMW.
Authorities said Trooper Ronald Melendez-Bonilla began to follow the vehicle on the Palmetto Expressway but the driver sped north, leading troopers on a chase up Florida’s Turnpike.
According to FHP, the suspects got off on Sunrise Boulevard and continued the chase up State Road 7.
After turning onto Oakland Park Boulevard, “the driver cut into the parking lot of a McDonalds and then attempted to exit back out,” at which point he rammed Melendez-Bonilla’s cruiser, sending him crashing into a sign at 3075 W. Oakland Park Blvd.
The chase continued west along Oakland Park Boulevard when the suspect tried to make a left turn on State Road 7.
“However, due to a mechanical failure, (the BMW) ran up on the sidewalk and crashed” into a bus stop, troopers said.
The two suspects, identified as 18-year-old driver Tommie Allen and 20-year-old passenger Tyler Tyrone Hollins, were taken into custody after trying to run away from law enforcement, authorities said.
Melendez-Bonilla was taken to Holy Cross Hospital and treated for his injuries.
“He is now home resting with some minor injuries,” FHP Lt. Indiana Miranda said.
Allen and Hollins are facing charges of grand theft, fleeing and eluding, aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer and resisting arrest without violence.