Tampa, FL March 19, 2010 -
View footage from Tampa Police Department's Air Service at www.youtube.com/watch
SUSPECT: Eric L Peoples, B/M, DOB: 11/23/83, 1337 ©Ð¨` W. Union Street, Tampa (Deceased)
SUSPECT VEHICLE: Black Kia Sorento SUV
On 3/19/09 at 3:15a.m, an officer attempted a traffic stop for a possible DUI. The SUV was driving approximately 10 miles an hour without headlights northbound on 22nd Street. When the officer turned on his lights, the SUV turned westbound on 19th Street and stopped. As the officer approached the car, the suspect vehicle fled. The officer turned southbound onto 21st Street and did not pursue. Air Service was on patrol in the area and began following the SUV overhead. The vehicle began traveling recklessly. It hit two unoccupied, parked cars in the 1900 block of 18th Avenue. It traveled 14-15 blocks before it crashed head on into an unoccupied, parked van. The crash spun the van around and caused the suspect vehicle to catch on fire. When officers arrived at the scene, they removed the suspect from the burning car and began CPR. Several officers also used fire extinguishers to help Tampa Fire Rescue put out the blaze. The suspect was transported to Tampa General Hospital and was pronounced dead at 4:07a.m.The suspect was well known to police with a lengthy criminal record. He was currently on probation for Grand Theft. The entire incident was videotaped by Air Service and the tape clearly shows no ground units pursued the vehicle.
Laura McElroy
TPD PIO
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