We’re here with shocking new footage that shows a Tampa man intentionally crashing his car into two police officers, causing critical injuries to both of them. The deputies were responding to a 911 call from the suspect’s mother, who reported that her son was in the midst of a mental health crisis. Step Rumo has the full story and a warning that the video is disturbing.
Tonight, two Florida deputies are in critical condition as a result of this shocking incident. A man rammed his vehicle into the officers while they were standing outside their patrol unit, leaving them with no chance to react.
Surveillance and body camera footage released by The Hillsboro County Sheriff’s Office reveals what happened on Thursday morning near Tampa. The deputies were dispatched to the neighborhood after a woman called 911, expressing concern that her son, diagnosed with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, was acting violently and causing damage to their home.
The suspect, Ralph Boozy, refused to engage with the officers, instead fleeing the scene only to return moments later in what authorities are calling an ambush. The videos show the sedan speeding towards the deputies, with one officer attempting to evade but getting thrown backwards upon impact. The second officer’s body camera captures the moment he is forcefully propelled by the crash. The SUV is also sent spinning by the force of the collision.
Corporal Carlos Pito, 39, and Deputy Manuel Santos, 31, were both rushed to the hospital with critical injuries. Corporal Carlos Pito’s injuries are reported to be the most severe, with a potential need for amputation of his leg.
Two other officers at the scene order Boozy to the ground, and one uses a Taser to subdue him. Boozy has since been taken into custody and is facing charges of attempted murder of a law enforcement officer. As the Tampa community prays for the recovery of the injured police officers, the fact that Boozy’s own mother called the police on him adds a layer of complexity to the situation..
