HOLIDAY, Fla. — A teenager was arrested Sunday morning after troopers said she fled a traffic stop and crashed during a short pursuit in Pasco County, according to Florida Highway Patrol (FHP).
According to an arrest report, Trooper J.D. Figueroa was traveling southbound on U.S. Highway 19 near Gulf Trace Boulevard around 6:36 a.m. when he observed a GMC Acadia speeding. Troopers said radar showed the SUV traveling 60 mph in a posted 45 mph zone.
The vehicle pulled into the McDonald’s parking lot at 2909 U.S. Highway 19, where the driver told troopers she only had a learner’s permit from Maine or Massachusetts and was rushing to get medication for her brother, per the report.
FHP said the driver identified herself as a 16-year-old girl. While troopers were attempting to verify her information, she allegedly put the SUV in drive and fled the parking lot around 6:42 a.m.
Troopers pursued the vehicle with emergency lights and sirens activated as it traveled westbound on Camry Drive. FHP said the teen lost control at the intersection of Gulf Trace Boulevard, crashing into a curb and a cable box.
The SUV became disabled on the shoulder, and the driver was taken into custody around 6:45 a.m.
FHP said the teen is charged with fleeing and eluding a law enforcement officer with lights and sirens active. She also received citations for speeding, careless driving and driving with only a learner’s permit without a licensed driver age 21 or older in the vehicle.
Troopers said the girl’s mother later told deputies she did not give her daughter permission to take the vehicle.
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