A Florida Highway Patrol trooper and a truck driver were killed after they collided on Interstate 95 Friday morning during a pursuit of a suspect, officials said.
The crash happened on I-95 south of the Crosstown Parkway exit in Port St. Lucie.
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FHP officials identified Trooper Zachary Fink as the victim of the crash.
FHP Col. Gary L. Howze II told reporters that Fink told his mom when he was young that he wanted to help people.
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"Today, he was living his dream, doing just that as a Florida State Trooper," Howze said. "He was tragically taken from us by a felon, a fleeing felon, a criminal, and that's a tragedy."
At a news conference Friday afternoon, FHP officials said the incident began around 2:40 a.m. when a sheriff's deputy spotted a white Kia that was speeding and driving recklessly.
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A short pursuit ensued but the deputy disengaged, and a short time later Fink spotted the Kia and tried to stop it.
The driver fled and a pursuit ensued until the Kia entered I-95 and started driving the wrong way, officials said.
Fink turned his car to follow the Kia and turned into the path of a tractor-trailer, which wasn't able to stop, officials said.
The tractor-trailer driver was killed at the scene, while Fink was airlifted to a local hospital where he died from his injuries.
Fink, 26, was a 3-year veteran of FHP. The tractor-trailer driver's identity hasn't been released.
After the crash, the Kia continued driving in the wrong direction but eventually crashed into a tree, officials said.
The suspect fled on foot, setting of a massive manhunt before authorities took a person of interest into custody around 8 a.m., officials said.
That person's identity hasn't been released. Officials said the incident remains under investigation.
After news broke of the incident, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and other state leaders voiced their support for FHP and Fink's family.
"Our hearts go out to the family of FHP Trooper Zachary Fink, who was killed in the line of duty while attempting to detain a fleeing felon in St. Lucie County. @CaseyDeSantis and I are praying for the Fink family and the entire FHP community," DeSantis posted on X.
"Heartbroken to hear a @FLHSMV trooper was killed in a wreck earlier this morning while chasing a fugitive. Please join Justin and I in praying for the loved ones of Trooper Zachary Fink and our entire Florida Highway Patrol family," Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody posted.
