Florida trooper, 26, killed in crash while chasing suspect on interstate

St. Lucie County, Fl -A 26-year-old Florida Highway Patrol trooper was killed in the line of duty overnight while chasing a suspect on the interstate.

Trooper Zachary Fink was trying to apprehend a fleeing felon who was driving recklessly in St. Lucie County. 

Here is the information from the “Officer Down Memorial Page.”

Trooper Zachary Fink

Florida Highway Patrol

End of Watch: Friday, February 2.2024

Trooper Zachary Fink was killed in a vehicle crash during a pursuit on Interstate 95 north at Crosstown Parkway near Port St. Lucie at 3:00 a.m.

At 2:40 am, the subject was speeding and reckless driving on I-95, and St. Lucie deputies attempted to initiate a traffic stop. Other agencies joined the pursuit when the subject did not stop. The subject made a U-turn on Interstate 95, driving southbound in the northbound lanes on I-95. Trooper Fink initiated a U-turn to stop the vehicle and was struck by a semi-tractor trailer.

Trooper Fink was transported to HCA Lawnwood Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. The driver of the tractor-trailer was also killed.

The pursuit continued, with the subject driving the wrong way on I-95. He eventually crashed and fled on foot. He was apprehended at 8:06 a.m.

Trooper Fink had served with the Florida Highway Patrol for three years. He is survived by his mother, father, and fiancée.

Here is what happened:

At 2:40 a.m. A St.Lucie County Sheriff saw a white Kia traveling recklessly on west Midway Rd. The deputy tried to pull over but it sped off.

2:48 a.m. Trooper Fink saw the same vehicle and tried to pull it over. The Kia made a U-turn and drove into on coming traffic. Trooper Fink followed him. Both were traveling north in the southbound lanes.

2:57 a.m. Trooper Fink was critically injured when he turned into the path of a tractor-trailer. The driver of the tractor trailer died. His name has still not been released.

After this the Kia crashed on Commerce. The driver fled the scene.

8:06 The person who caused all this chaos was apprehended.