A Florida Highway Patrol trooper ended a pursuit involving a Genesis G70 with a decisive PIT maneuver after the driver refused to pull over following a traffic observation.
The trooper initially spotted the Genesis traveling in the opposite direction and detected a violation that prompted a U-turn to initiate a stop. Rather than yielding, the G70 driver accelerated, beginning the pursuit.
The Genesis G70 is a rear-wheel-drive sport sedan with a turbocharged four or six-cylinder engine depending on configuration. It offers performance credentials that make it quicker than many average commuter vehicles, but law enforcement pursuit units are purpose-built and equipped with significantly more capability for sustained high-speed operations.
After the pursuit covered enough distance for the trooper to position the patrol vehicle correctly, the PIT maneuver was executed. The technique involves a controlled contact where the patrol car nudges the rear quarter panel of the fleeing vehicle, causing it to rotate and lose directional control, which brings it to a stop.
The G70 came to rest off the roadway, and the driver was taken into custody without further incident. No injuries were reported as a result of the maneuver.
The suspect faces multiple charges including felony fleeing and eluding, which carries severe penalties under Florida law and is typically added on top of whatever the original violation was that prompted the stop.
PIT maneuvers have been a subject of ongoing debate among law enforcement agencies and safety advocates. Proponents argue they provide a reliable way to end dangerous pursuits quickly. Critics note the technique carries risks of injury, particularly at high speeds.
Florida Highway Patrol has one of the more active pursuit policies among state agencies, and troopers are extensively trained in vehicle intervention techniques before they are authorized to deploy them in the field.