Man Saves Florida Trooper From Runaway SUV

TAMPA, FL — The Florida Highway Patrol is crediting a passenger in a SUV from saving one of its own when a medical emergency arose that ultimately ended up sending a motorist and a trooper to the hospital.

According to the patrol, Jose Feliciano, 37, of Tampa was driving a Mitsubishi SUV westbound on Interstate 4 around 11:12 a.m. June 28. As Feliciano’s vehicle moved past Interstate 275, the patrol said he suffered a medical emergency. That emergency made it difficult for Feliciano to maintain control of his vehicle, which ended up crossing several lanes, back and forth.

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With obvious signs of distress coming from Feliciano, passenger Kenneth Franklin, 26, of Temple Terrace helped bring the vehicle to a controlled stop. About the time Franklin was stopping the SUV, Trooper Jack Hypes, 58, noticed the erratic driving, a patrol report said.

Hypes, the report said, initiated a traffic stop. When the SUV came to a stop, Hypes approach the vehicle on foot. The SUV, however, “lurched” backwards and struck Hypes, who was knocked to the ground and partially run over by a rear tire.

Franklin is credited with running to Hypes’ aid and then helping secure the runaway vehicle.

“Franklin was instrumental in protecting Trooper Hypes from sustaining further injury and securing the vehicle,” the report noted.

Feliciano was not charged in the incident. He was, however, taken to a hospital for medical treatment.

Hypes was also hospitalized with injuries that are described as minor.

No further information is being released at this time.

Photo courtesy of the Florida Highway Patrol