PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — A man from Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, Florida, was taken into custody on Friday after his involvement in a tragic incident that resulted in the deaths of both a Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) trooper and the driver of a semi-truck. The man, identified as 30-year-old Michael Anthony Addison, is facing multiple charges including two counts of vehicular homicide, two counts of felony homicide, and aggravated fleeing to elude with serious injury or death.
The incident began when Trooper Zachary Fink attempted to stop Addison, who was driving a white Kia in a reckless manner and at high speed on Interstate 95 in St. Lucie County. According to FHP Colonel Gary Howze II, Addison made a sudden turn, driving in the wrong direction on the interstate. In an attempt to continue the pursuit and warn other motorists, Trooper Fink unfortunately turned into the path of a semi-truck, resulting in a fatal collision that claimed the lives of both Fink and the driver of the semi-truck.
Following the crash, the Kia drove on, eventually crashing into a tree less than two miles away. Addison fled on foot but was apprehended around 8 a.m. by law enforcement officers. Along with the charges from FHP, the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office also charged Addison with fleeing to elude police with lights/sirens activated as well as an out-of-county warrant from the Broward County Sheriff’s Office on aggravated battery.
The tragic incident has raised concerns and led to calls for stricter enforcement and penalties for reckless driving and eluding law enforcement. This case serves as a reminder of the dangers and risks associated with fleeing from law enforcement, as well as the devastating consequences it can have on innocent lives.
Addison was booked into the St. Lucie County Jail without bond, awaiting further legal proceedings as the community mourns the loss of the trooper and the truck driver. The FHP and local authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident, working to ensure justice for the victims and their families.