VERO BEACH, Fla. — Law enforcement pulled a suspect from a burning vehicle after he fled a traffic stop and crashed into a tree.
The Vero Beach Police Department said police attempted the traffic stop on the vehicle near the 4300 block of 26th Street. 41-year-old Donald James Jr., drove off and headed west, which prompted Indian River County deputies to respond when officers lost sight.
WATCH: Police pull Florida driver from burning car they say he fled traffic stop
While searching the area, deputies found the vehicle engulfed in flames in a small field on the west side of 26th Street and 82nd Avenue.
Police said they believed the vehicle crashed into a tree while fleeing. Law enforcement officials pulled James from the wreckage, and he was taken to a local hospital.
According to officials, James was on inmate release status for a past murder and is now facing new felony charges for fleeing/eluding. Police did not specify why they attempted a traffic stop on James.
It's been one year since Hurricane Milton impacted our community. Tampa Bay 28 revisited some of Tampa Bay's hardest hit areas to show the recovery and the work that still needs to be done.
