Multiple-Vehicle Crash Includes Patrol Car; Man Charged With DUI

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — A 29-year-old St. Petersburg man faces charges of driving under the influence of drugs and driving without a valid driver's license after he lost control of his car on Interstate 275 on Wednesday, leading to a multiple-vehicle crash involving a trooper, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

A Florida Highway Patrol car was parked on the shoulder I-275 northbound near the 54th Avenue North exit about 2:42 p.m. during a traffic stop, investigators said. At the same time, the 29-year-old man lost control of his car, which caused him to crash into the back of a car traveling in the center lane on the interstate, police said.

That caused the car in the center lane to spin several times, police said. The 29-year-old continued to drive his car in the right lane and collided with the driver's side of a pickup truck, police said. The truck spun and flipped over several times until it stopped after rolling over on the patrol car, police said. The impact from the truck moved the FHP car several feet from where it was parked, police said.

I-275 lanes of traffic were closed for several hours as detectives investigated the crash. Emanuel Cortez Ramsey was arrested on the following charges, according to troopers:

• Driving under the influence of drugs
• No valid driver's license
• Possession of cannabis
• Careless driving

All of the drivers, including the trooper, suffered minor injuries, investigators said.