A 38-year-old man was arrested for leaving the scene of an accident after he was seen speeding to get in front of a van, slamming on his brakes, and causing a crash in the I-4 Express Lanes that resulted in a car flipping multiple times that seriously injured an Orlando man.
According to a report filed by the Florida Highway Patrol, the accident took place on the eastbound Express Lanes of I-4, near mile marker 92, at around 9:05 a.m. on Thursday, April 27.
A 2019 Dodge RAM 1500 was traveling eastbound on the highway, approaching East Central Parkway on the inside lane. The driver, who last later identified as Antoine T. Burnett, made an improper lane change to the outside lane, directly in front of a 2015 Ford Transit Van being driven by a 27-year-old Haines City man.
Burnett then allegedly slowed the Dodge RAM excessively in front of the Ford van, causing the Haines City man to swerve to avoid a collision. The van hit the back of the RAM, rotated, and entered the direct path of a 2017 Nissan Rogue being driven by a 39-year-old Orlando man.
The Orlando man attempted to swerve to the left in attempt to avoid a collision, but was unable. The front of the Nissan collided with left rear of the van. As a result of the impact, the van collided with the outside shoulder concrete wall barrier.
The Rogue overturned several times and came to final rest overturned on its roof in the eastbound lanes. The Orlando man was transported to South Seminole Hospital with serious injuries.
After the collision, Burnett fled the scene. A witness advised prior to the initial collision, Burnett was driving his vehicle aggressively, traveling above the posted speed limit, and making improper lane changes around traffic. The witness also advised that Burnett stopped his vehicle abruptly in the inside lane with no obstruction ahead, causing the crash with the van.
The driver of the van advised that Burnett cut him off and intentionally slammed on the brakes, which caused him to swerve and collide with the rear of the Dodge RAM.
A Seminole County Sheriff’s Office deputy observed the Dodge RAM speeding in the eastbound lanes of I-4, just west of Lake Mary Boulevard at mile marker 98.
The deputy conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle and it matched the Be On Lookout (BOLO) description of a vehicle involved in a hit-and-run. The truck also had damage consistent with the collsion.
Burnett was arrested and booked into Seminole County Jail on multiple charges, including failure to stop or remain at a crash involving serious bodily injury, reckless driving causing serious bodily injury, and leaving the scene of a crash involving property damage.