FHP: Two arrested after driver rams trooper's car during chase in Tampa
Prior mugshots for Grecham Toliver and Ashley Gater. Courtesy: Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office.
TAMPA, Fla. - Troopers detained a group of suspects who led authorities on a chase through Hillsborough County on Monday afternoon, ending with the driver intentionally crashing into an FHP patrol car in Tampa.
The Florida Highway Patrol said the incident began around 1:30 p.m. when troopers noticed a 2020 Nissan Altima driving westbound on Interstate 4 in Hillsborough County that they believed to be involved in a Lakeland felony theft case.
When the vehicle exited I-4 to go northbound on I-75, troopers attempted a traffic stop, but the driver refused to pull over.
Investigators said the vehicle fled northbound until exiting westbound onto Fowler Avenue.
The pursuit ended with the Durango intentionally crashing into a marked FHP patrol car that was unoccupied, troopers said. (Courtesy: FHP)
The car hit a Jeep Wrangler while continuing on Fowler Avenue near the intersection of Gillette Street, according to FHP. At the intersection of Fowler and 56th Street, the Nissan collided again with three other vehicles, troopers said.
After that second crash, the occupants of the Nissan got out of the car and immediately got into a 2004 Dodge Durango SUV, then began fleeing once again westbound on Fowler Avenue.
FHP said the driver of the Durango turned northbound at 50th Street, where troopers again attempted to stop the vehicle.
Aerial image from SkyFOX shows the suspect, identified by FHP as 32-year-old Grecham Toliver, in handcuffs after the crash.
That's where investigators said the driver of the SUV intentionally rammed a marked FHP patrol car that was unoccupied.
Troopers detained all five occupants of the Durango moments later, noting that they all suffered minor injuries. No troopers were injured.
FHP confirmed 32-year-old Grecham Toliver of Tampa was arrested for aggravated assault and 34-year-old Ashley Gater of Tampa was arrested for fleeing and eluding as well as leaving the scene of two crashes
Additional charges are pending from FHP troopers. Lakeland police are investigating in the initial theft.