‘Angry’ Woman Repeatedly Rammed Car, Fled: FHP

LAND O’ LAKES, FL — A 24-year-old Temple Terrace woman faces criminal charges after Florida Highway Patrol troopers say she repeatedly smashed into a car on State Road 54 Monday night before fleeing the scene.

According to troopers, the incident that led to Kierstin Renee Perez’s arrest began to unfold around 10:15 p.m. on March 27. Perez, a highway patrol report said, was on State Road 54 near Cypress Creek Road in a Toyota Camry.

At that time, Samantha A. Schwarz, 27, of Land O’ Lakes was heading east on State Road 54 in a Hyundai Elantra. As Schwarz was sitting in a right turn lane near Cypress Creek Road, troopers say Perez changed lanes and struck the Hyundai, causing both vehicles to rotate. After the vehicles stopped rotating, Perez is accused of reversing and trying to flee the scene. Troopers, however, say she again struck Schwarz’s car before attempting to back up again to flee.

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Schwarz, the report said, “maneuvered her vehicle to prevent another escape attempt,” but was struck yet again by Perez’s Toyota.

Perez did manage to get away, the report noted, but not before Schwarz was able to get her tag number. Schwarz then contacted the highway patrol, kicking off a search for Perez.

Just before 1 a.m. Tuesday, March 28, the Temple Terrace Police Department contacted troopers to say a woman had called them to report her involvement in a crash on State Road 54. When troopers met up with Perez, she “admitted she rammed (the Hyundai) because she was angry and the vehicle was in her way,” the report said.

Perez was charged with aggravated battery and leaving the scene of a crash. She was booked into the Land O’ Lakes Jail early Tuesday morning.

No injuries were reported in the crash.

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Image courtesy of the Florida Highway Patrol