Perp Slams Trooper’s Car in Desperate Escape Attempt!

Incident Report: On 8/5/2025 at approximately 5:53 p.m., I was on the entrance ramp from US-27 onto westbound I-4 when I observed a gray GMC pickup truck traveling in the left lane. When the vehicle passed me, I was able to clearly see a black male driving the pickup truck, and he was not wearing his seat belt. The pickup truck did not have window tint on the front passenger side, which gave me a clear view. While behind the vehicle, I observed the tag of the vehicle having a tag frame that was covering the top portion of the tag, obstructing the view of the state on the tag.

I attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the pickup truck by activating my emergency equipment (lights & sirens) in my marked Florida Highway Patrol vehicle with agency insignia. The pickup truck pulled over to the left emergency lane but was not coming to a complete stop. The pickup truck then traveled back onto the westbound lanes of I-4 and fled at a high rate of speed. I initiated a vehicle pursuit, and the Tampa Bay Regional Communication Center (TBRCC) Dispatch was notified. While in pursuit, we reached speeds of up to 110 mph in a posted 65 mph zone. The driver of the pickup truck was weaving in and out of traffic and was driving with willful and wanton disregard for the safety of persons and property. Myself and other troopers in the pursuit attempted to box in the pickup truck to get the truck stopped. As troopers were getting in front of the pickup truck, I was to the left of the pickup truck as it was slowing down. The driver of the pickup truck then intentionally swerved to the left, causing the left side of his vehicle to strike the right side of my patrol vehicle. The vehicle struck my patrol car so hard that the front tires of my patrol car left the ground, causing my patrol car to partially go airborne and land on the left grassy median. I then attempted to gain control of my patrol car to continue the pursuit.

Shortly after, I noticed that my patrol car was disabled, and I stopped on the left emergency lane. Trooper Wooten (ID 1511) then stopped on the left emergency lane in front of me. I got out of my patrol car and turned it off. I locked my patrol car and got into the passenger seat of Trooper Wooten's patrol car. We then continued the pursuit and observed Trooper Soto (ID 1235) perform a Precision Immobilization Technique (PIT) Maneuver on the pickup truck and was successful. I observed the black male flee on foot into the woods and was later apprehended by Trooper Evans (ID 757) and Trooper Chavez (ID 1765).

A tow truck was called for the pickup truck. While inventorying the vehicle for the tow truck, I observed a black bag on the front passenger floorboard of the vehicle. Inside the black bag, I observed a large amount of currency in different denominations. I also observed multiple pieces of jewelry and casino chips that appeared to belong to the Hard Rock Casino Tampa. I then opened the tailgate of the truck and observed six cardboard boxes that were sealed with tape. Upon opening the boxes, I observed a large amount of clear plastic bags containing a green leafy substance inside the bags. The clear plastic bags were vacuum sealed. A total of 25 clear plastic bags were observed in each box.

The green leafy substance was placed into a Syndicate Chemistries 4-AP Hemp Typification Test Kit, which yielded a blue result, indicating the presence of more than 1% delta-9 THC. The marijuana was later weighed and resulted in approximately 150 pounds.

The driver was later identified as Jimmie Lavion Flournoy Jr. via Florida Driver Licens. Mr. Flournoy was transported to the Lakeland Regional Medical Center for medical clearance. Once medically cleared, Mr. Flournoy was then transported to the Polk County Jail.

I sustained minor head injuries when Mr. Flournoy struck my patrol car, and I was treated on scene by EMS.