A 24-year-old Orlando man is in jail after he intentionally rammed a Florida Highway Patrol trooper on Monday night on John Young Parkway.
Jose Luis Ortiz, 24, of Fort Thomas Way in Orlando, was arrested and charged with several felony counts, including aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer.
Troopers said that the suspect Ortiz, jumped into a Honda vehicle in a parking lot at the Racetrack gas station on Oakridge Road around 8:30 pm on Monday night and sped away, traveling northbound on John Young Parkway. Troopers parked nearby, were alerted by a store clerk running after the Honda, attempted to stop the vehicle, but the driver refused. Ortiz led troopers on a chase on John Young Parkway for several minutes.
Ortiz subsequently pulled into the access road near the 7-11 at John Young Parkway and Americana Boulevard. Trooper Charles Lewis who was stopped behind the Honda vehicle was exiting his patrol car when the suspect suddenly drove the vehicle, ramming the front of the patrol car. Trooper Lewis, who was struck by his patrol car, fired three rounds at the suspect’s vehicle, but Ortiz fled southbound on John Young Parkway, in an attempt to flee once again from troopers.
Another trooper pursued the suspect, as one of the tires on the suspect’s vehicle blew out. The suspect vehicle drove off the roadway and came to rest against a fence on John Young Parkway, south of Magic Way.
Troopers and officers from the Orange County Sheriff’s office and Orlando Police Department attempted to subdue and arrest the combative subject. Ortiz was tased and taken into custody. It was determined that the suspect had stolen the Honda.
Ortiz has been charged with aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer; driving while under the influence; fleeing and eluding a law enforcement officer and driving with a license permanently revoked, among other charges. He was booked into the Orange County Jail on a $10,250 bond.
Trooper Lewis was transported to ORMC with non life threatening injuries and has since been released.
