MIRAMAR, Fla. (WSVN) — A South Florida driver jumped onto the hood of a car with a knife between his teeth on the Palmetto Expressway after his car broke down, Tuesday night, authorities said.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a trooper was forced to use a Taser on the knife-wielding man, near Northwest 67th Avenue. He was then placed under arrest.
Troopers said the man’s vehicle had become disabled, so he pulled over on the side of the highway, near Northwest 67th Avenue. Troopers said he tried to flag down other motorists, but no one stopped to help him.
Then, at around 9:20 p.m., investigators said, the man put a knife between his teeth and jumped on the hood of the white Mercedes-Benz sedan heading eastbound. Troopers said the driver, Gloria Allen, was able to drive about a mile while the man held onto the hood.
Near Northwest 57th Avenue, Allen spotted a trooper and alerted him. “[The trooper] got him off the hood, and there was an altercation between both of them,” said FHP Trooper Joe Sanchez, “and the trooper tased the subject. The subject was arrested, and right now he’s [being] transported to the hospital, where he’s being Baker Acted.”
Officials believe the man was on a hallucinogenic drug when he attempted to break out of police custody and reach for his knife.
Minutes before backup arrived, the man was seen on camera throwing what officials said was a watch underneath the Mercedes-Benz.
A 7News viewer captured the dramatic end of the altercation on cell phone video.
The Florida Highway Patrol temporarily shut down all eastbound lanes on the Palmetto Expressway, just west of Northwest 57th Avenue, while they investigated the bizarre incident. They were later reopened to traffic.
No one was hurt.
Police said they expect the man to undergo mental evaluations.
Authorities are investigating. They have not yet released the man’s name.
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