Caught On Camera: Driver Crashes Into Highway Patrol Trooper

On Nov. 5, 2018, Trooper Richard Verbiest stopped his 2016 Florida Highway Patrol Chevrolet SUV with emergency lights activated behind a disabled motorist on the inside paved shoulder of southbound I-75 at mile marker 134 in Fort Myers.

Wednesday, January 9th 2019, 2:47 pm

By: News 9


On Nov. 5, 2018, Trooper Richard Verbiest stopped his 2016 Florida Highway Patrol Chevrolet SUV with emergency lights activated behind a disabled motorist on the inside paved shoulder of southbound I-75 at mile marker 134 in Fort Myers.

Moments later, a 2012 Mazda, driven by Fernando Xavier Espinoza, 35, was traveling southbound on I-75 approaching the same location. To avoid slowing traffic, Espinoza swerved his vehicle into the paved shoulder and struck the guardrail along with the rear portion of the stopped FHP vehicle.

The crash resulted in a serious injury to Espinoza and a non-incapacitating injury to Verbiest. In addition, the engine of the 2012 Mazda caught on fire, according to the Florida Highway Patrol press release.

The Trooper exited his substantially damaged FHP vehicle, responded to the 2012 Mazda and pulled the damaged driver door open to gain access to Espinoza. Verbiest, without regard for his own personal safety, pulled Mr. Espinoza from the Mazda to a safer location, per the press release.

This crash also serves as a reminder for drivers to remain focused behind the wheel and to follow the Florida move over law which states, when approaching a stopped emergency vehicle on a multiple lane highway, that vehicle must vacate the lane closest to the emergency vehicle, the FHP press release states. If traffic congestion prevents a safe lane change, the vehicle is required to reduce speed by 20 mph below the posted speed limit.

","published":"2019-01-09T20:47:27.000Z","updated":"2019-01-09T20:47:27.000Z","summary":"On Nov. 5, 2018, Trooper Richard Verbiest stopped his 2016 Florida Highway Patrol Chevrolet SUV with emergency lights activated behind a disabled motorist on the inside paved shoulder of southbound I-75 at mile marker 134 in Fort Myers.","affiliate":{"_id":"5cc353fe1c9d440000d3b70f","callSign":"kwtv","origin":"https://www.news9.com"},"contentClass":"news","createdAt":"2020-01-31T19:31:49.566Z","updatedAt":"2022-03-30T21:04:15.045Z","__v":2,"show":true,"link":"/story/5e3480a5527dcf49dad75e35/caught-on-camera:-driver-crashes-into-highway-patrol-trooper","hasSchedule":false,"id":"5e3480a5527dcf49dad75e35"};
logo

Get The Daily Update!

Be among the first to get breaking news, weather, and general news updates from News 9 delivered right to your inbox!

More Like This

January 9th, 2019

March 22nd, 2024

March 14th, 2024

February 9th, 2024

Top Headlines

March 29th, 2024

March 29th, 2024

March 28th, 2024

March 28th, 2024