HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FL. – A Pasco County man was arrested after attempted carjacking’s and assaulting people on I-75 Wednesday night.
According to Florida Highway Patrol, on Wednesday, at approximately 9:44 PM, FHP Troopers responded to southbound lanes of I-75 near the 234 Milepost in Hillsborough County, where a black 2018 GMC Sierra, driven by Dale Patrick Ferris, 43, of New Port Richey, had stopped in the travel lanes for an unknown reason with no lights.
Shortly after, a 2019 Subaru SUV driven by a 33-year-old female from Wellington collided with the GMC Sierra,
Ferris then walked into the path of a 2020 Hyundai SUV driven by a 42-year-old female from Cape Coral.
Troopers say the Hyundai stopped to avoid colliding with Ferris, who then produced a handgun and climbed onto the hood of the woman’s vehicle.
A passing vehicle soon distracted Ferris and allowed the Hyundai driver to speed away successfully. Moments later, a tractor-trailer operated by a 62-year-old man from North Fort Myers stopped and exited his vehicle to offer assistance.
It was at this point, troopers say, that Ferris entered the tractor-trailer in an attempt to steal the vehicle, but failed when he was unable to place the vehicle in gear or release the air brakes. The tractor-trailer driver and another witness, a 38-year-old man from Harrisburg, South Dakota, attempted to stop Ferris who kicked both men in the face and chest.
Ferris then exited the tractor-trailer as Deputies from Hillsborough and Manatee Counties arrived and detained him.
FHP Troopers later arrested Ferris and transported him to the Hillsborough County Jail, charged with Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon, Carjacking with Firearm, Carjacking, Improper Exhibition of a Firearm, and Discharging a Firearm in Public.
Troopers recovered the handgun and several spent shell casings, noting bullet strikes to the roadway only.
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