BODYCAM video captured the shocking moment a police officer was hit by a driver following a traffic stop.
The disturbing scene unfolded on the evening of June 5, during the Independence Day long weekend.
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Hillsborough County Deputy Kalin Hall attempted to stop a BMW in Tampa, Florida, that he said was driving erratically, but it sped off before he could speak to the driver.
About 25 minutes later, however, Hall said he saw the same car parked on the street and again tried to pull over.
He never expected what happened next.
The BMW left the scene and ran towards the officer, knocking him down and running over his legs.
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The disturbing video shows Hall initially trying to approach the vehicle before it can be heard quickly driving away.
In the next scene, Hall is seen again exiting the vehicle before being thrown to the ground and screaming for help.
Both of the officer’s legs were broken in the attack.
The suspect left, beginning a three-day investigation that culminated in the issuance of an arrest warrant for the suspect on Monday.
START A MORNING HUNTING
The suspect was identified as 24 years old. William Todd Lewis Jr.
“I am furious that any human being could inflict this type of violence against another human being in our wonderful and special Tampa Bay community,” Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister said during a news conference about Tuesday morning by local Fox affiliate TVTV.
“I am absolutely outraged that this criminal has no regard for human life,” he said.
As Lewis drove away, Chronister said Lewis called his girlfriend while driving, according to police, and asked her for help before abandoning the BMW.
Keilise Garrison, 23, sent her mother to pick up Lewis and bring him home.
The suspect then called another friend, 24-year-old Zachoiry Carnegie, and asked him for help in evading the police.
The pair rented a car and packed their bags – but not before investigators tracked them down.
“Knowing that you can’t hit the car, the only way for you to escape was through the deputy sheriff,” Chronister said.
“Showing zero respect for human life, determining that his escape from prison was more important than the life of this deputy, he intentionally put the car in gear, stepped on the accelerator and ran over the deputy, leaving him lying on the side of the road like a injured dog, not knowing how injured he is. How serious are the injuries? Did he kill the deputy sheriff?
MORE PENDING CHARGES
Lewis, his girlfriend Garrison and his friend Carnegie were all charged in the incident.
I am outraged that any human being would inflict this type of violence against another human being in our wonderful and special community of Tampa Bay. I am absolutely outraged that this thug has no regard for human life.
Chad Chronister
The driver was charged with aggravated assault on a police officer, possession of cannabis over 20 grams, leaving the scene of an accident with serious bodily injury, reckless driving with serious bodily injury, aggravated fleeing to avoid serious bodily injury or death, and fleeing to escape of a police officer.
Carnegie was charged with possession of Xanax that did not belong to him and Garrison faces charges of being an accessory after the fact and tampering with evidence.
“Instead of doing the right thing, Garrison made a conscious decision to hide Lewis’ involvement. This choice to protect a criminal rather than uphold justice is not only deceitful, but also deeply disappointing,” said Chronister.
“Their selfishly motivated actions undermined the integrity of our investigative efforts and placed the community at even greater risk. For her role in this incident, she will face the full consequences of her actions.”
He added that Lewis’ charges will likely be upgraded to attempted murder of a police officer and that they hope to make at least one more arrest in this case.
“Anyone who helped this individual that night or over the next few days avoid and evade arrest, you are a potential suspect,” Chronister shared. “We’re looking for you. We’re coming after you.”
Hall is expected to make a full recovery.
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
