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Hillsborough deputies chase, catch wrong-way driver fleeing on U.S. 301

 
The Dodge pickup truck that Hillsborough deputies said they stopped because an out-of-control driver who sped the wrong way on U.S. 301 late Tuesday before running over stop sticks and eventually ramming into a sheriff's patrol car. Photo from HCSO
The Dodge pickup truck that Hillsborough deputies said they stopped because an out-of-control driver who sped the wrong way on U.S. 301 late Tuesday before running over stop sticks and eventually ramming into a sheriff's patrol car. Photo from HCSO
Published March 10, 2016

RIVERVIEW — Hillsborough deputies said they stopped an out-of-control driver who sped the wrong way on U.S. 301 on Tuesday night and didn't stop until he ended up ramming his pickup into a sheriff's patrol cruiser.

The driver, Derek Wayne Hyde, 20, was arrested on charges of aggravated battery of a law enforcement officer; DUI with property damage; felony fleeing to elude; driving with a license canceled, suspended or revoked; reckless driving and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Dispatchers received three calls about a vehicle driving north in the southbound lanes of U.S. 301 about 9:30 p.m., according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office. A deputy started tracking Hyde's black 2002 Dodge pickup.

Other patrol units joined the chase as Hyde continued north, deputies said, driving through a red light at Big Bend Road.

He briefly crossed back to the proper lanes and started throwing stuff out of his truck, deputies said.

Hyde then crossed back into the southbound lanes, continuing north. Deputies said they laid down spiked tire-deflation devices on the roadway between Rhodine and Symmes roads. Hyde's front right tire was punctured, but deputies said he kept on driving.

As Hyde sped toward oncoming traffic near Murphy Road, deputies said they executed a maneuver where a cruiser struck the rear of the truck, causing it to spin to a stop. Hyde then drove into a patrol car in an effort to get away again, according to the Sheriff's Office, before he was finally stopped and arrested.

No one was injured during Tuesday's incident.

When deputies searched his vehicle, they said Hyde had a 1-pound bag of white powder in his truck that deputies think could be narcotics. The substance was sent to a lab for testing. Investigators said they could not find the items Hyde was seen throwing from his truck.

Hyde, of 10725 Murphy Road in Riverview, was taken to the Hillsborough County jail, were records show he refused to take a Breathalyzer test that would reveal his blood-alcohol level. He was being held in jail Wednesday in lieu of $20,250 bail.