The Fort Myers man accused of running down two deputies during a chase on Tuesday afternoon intentionally swerved toward the deputies, Sheriff Mike Scott said.
Travis Rashod Taylor, 29, faces an attempted homicide charge after he ran down the two motorcycle deputies who were conducting red light traffic stops at U.S. 41 and College Parkway in Fort Myers.
"Ninety-nine out of 100 cars, when they see an officer behind them, pull over," Scott said. "They don't smash the accelerator and certainly don't try to run anybody over, never mind police."
Taylor's red four-door Buick made a left turn after the light turned red, according to his arrest report. Instead of stopping when deputies pulled behind him with lights and sirens, Taylor drove through nearby residential streets, at some points driving in the wrong direction. He forced one deputy to lay his motorcycle down when he drove at him. The second did not have time to avoid impact before he was thrown from his bike, according to reports.
With his car damaged from both crashes, Taylor eventually drove over a concrete curb and into a ditch in the parking lot of the IHOP at 12801 S. Cleveland Ave.
Taylor then ran on foot, jumping fences and crossing several streets before he was apprehended, according to reports.
In addition to the attempted homicide charge, Taylor also faces charges of assault on an officer and aggravated fleeing or eluding of police causing injury or damage.
Scott said Taylor told deputies he was scared when he decided to flee instead of pulling over.
The Sheriff's Office is not releasing the names of the injured deputies until an investigation is complete. Scott said one of the deputies was treated and released with foot and leg injuries Tuesday night. The second deputy had surgery for a "massive orthopedic problem," Scott said.
Each of the deputies has been with the agency for about 10 years, Scott said. They'll be out of commission during a busy time in the county, but their shifts are being covered.
"It creates manpower challenges," Scott said. "But the deputies, I would say are in good spirits."
Yesterday's chase was not Taylor's first run-in with law enforcement.
Taylor has a string of arrests, including previous felony charges, in Lee County dating back more than a decade. Taylor was last arrested in 2011 for obstructing an officer and driving with a suspended license. The former Lehigh Acres resident was arrested for possession of cocaine in 2007 and possession of marijuana in 2003.
"He's certainly not been a choir boy," Scott said. "He's already been a problem for us in different ways."
Taylor is being held in jail without bond. He may face other charges not relating to the chase, but to possible contraband found after his arrest, Scott said.
Copyright 2014 - Naples Daily News, Fla.
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
