By John Lloyd 
A routine traffic stop turned into a chaotic highway pursuit in Florida when a Chevrolet Silverado driver attempted a maneuver typically used by law enforcement — and briefly succeeded.
Dashcam footage released from the Florida Highway Patrol shows the pickup driver initiating a move resembling a PIT maneuver against a pursuing patrol car during a high-speed chase that began after the truck was clocked traveling 98 mph in a 70 mph zone.
Traffic Stop Turns Into Pursuit
According to investigators, the encounter began when a state trooper observed the Silverado weaving through traffic at high speed. After activating lights and sirens, the trooper attempted to stop the vehicle.
Instead of slowing down, the driver accelerated.
Video shows the truck continuing to move aggressively through traffic while the pursuing FHP Dodge Charger attempted to close the distance. A second patrol vehicle soon joined the chase, positioning behind the first cruiser in an effort to contain the suspect.
A Rare Counter-Move
As the pursuit intensified, the Silverado driver began making abrupt lateral movements toward the patrol cars — behavior that suggested the driver anticipated a PIT maneuver from officers.
Moments later, the truck made contact.
The Silverado first sideswiped a patrol vehicle, damaging the cruiser’s push bar. Seconds later, the driver steered sharply into the rear quarter panel of a pursuing Charger.
The maneuver mirrored the Precision Immobilization Technique, commonly known as a PIT maneuver — a tactic police use to spin out fleeing vehicles.
This time, the patrol car lost control.
The Charger spun out and briefly exited the pursuit.
The Truck Begins to Fall Apart
But the Silverado suffered severe damage during the collision.
Footage shows the truck’s passenger-side front wheel tearing away during the impact, leaving the vehicle crippled but still moving at highway speed. Sparks flew beneath the pickup as metal scraped against the pavement while the driver continued fleeing.
Operating a heavily damaged vehicle at speed creates additional dangers. Broken suspension components, damaged axles, and dragging metal can quickly lead to loss of control or even fire under sustained acceleration.
Despite the mechanical damage, the suspect continued attempting to escape.
Chase Ends With PIT
The pursuit ultimately came to an end when another responding unit — reportedly driving an unmarked Dodge Charger — successfully executed a controlled PIT maneuver.
This time, the tactic worked as intended.
The Silverado spun out and the suspect was taken into custody before the situation escalated further.
Possible Impairment Discovered
Following the arrest, investigators reportedly found empty liquor bottles and used marijuana products inside the truck.
Authorities said toxicology results were not immediately available, but impairment is suspected to have contributed to the driver’s behavior during the chase.
Trooper Survives Dangerous Impact
Despite the dramatic spin-out, the trooper involved in the collision did not suffer life-threatening injuries.
Given the speed involved and the weight of the vehicles, the outcome could have been significantly worse. At highway speeds, even a minor steering input or collision can send multi-ton vehicles into uncontrolled spins.
Law enforcement officials often emphasize that vehicles become extremely dangerous weapons when used aggressively during pursuits.
A Dangerous Reminder
The incident serves as a reminder of how quickly a traffic stop can escalate when a driver chooses to flee.
High-speed pursuits remain among the most dangerous situations officers face on the road, particularly when suspects drive unpredictably or attempt aggressive tactics to escape.
In this case, the Silverado driver briefly flipped the script by turning a police maneuver back on the pursuing cruiser.
But in the end, physics — and additional officers — brought the chase to a halt.
Eve Nowell 
Shawn Henry