WEST MELBOURNE, Fla. – A Palm Bay man is in jail after hitting a West Melbourne police vehicle with his truck, the police department said.
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According to a news release, the man drove erratically south on Hollywood from US 192.
A West Melbourne patrol officer saw the man, identified as 25-year-old Jarret Hefler, drive over a raised median and speed down Hollywood Boulevard.
The truck reached the intersection of Hollywood Boulevard and Fell Road, where it circled and did donuts, police said.
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Police said he struck the officer’s vehicle while trying to flee a traffic stop.
West Melbourne police said officers pursued Hefler because his reckless behavior was a threat to the public.
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Hefler turned off his truck’s headlights to hide from police, but lost control of his vehicle and crashed on Hollywood Boulevard, where police pulled him over.
No injuries were reported.
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Hefler was charged with assault on a law enforcement officer, reckless driving, fleeing police and property damage.
He is now in the Brevard County Jail.
See a map of the scene below:
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