VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla – A South Daytona police officer and a suspect were wounded after a vehicle pursuit ended in a crash and gunfire on Interstate 95 Sunday morning, authorities said, according to a report by our sister station WKMG in Orlando.
At about 6 a.m. Sunday morning, Port Orange police officers responded to a road rage incident off Country Lane, authorities said. A suspect, who was identified as Todd Anthony Martin, then fled the scene.
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A pursuit followed, with help from the South Daytona Police Department.
Martin’s vehicle crashed on Interstate 95. According to SDPD, the suspect fired multiple rounds, striking one of the officers twice. Additionally, “One officer with the South Daytona Police Department returned fire, striking the suspect as well,” authorities said.
The suspect then fled on foot and attempted to steal the police vehicle, police said. He then reportedly altered the vehicle electronically, causing it to catch fire. Martin then “...jumped out of the vehicle after several minutes of the vehicle being engulfed in flames,” officers said. He is currently being treated at Halifax Medical Center.
The wounded officer, identified as Officer Jake Fessenden, is currently in stable condition.
Officials said, “The big important news is that he’s in stable condition and he’s in good spirits.” DBPD Deputy Chief Tim Morgan stated to our reporter, “God was on his side today. You know, he’s hit twice. Two critical areas, but we’re being told he’s in stable condition and he’s going to be fine.”
The officer is expected to be released from the hospital soon.
Traffic around Beville Road, Interstate 4 and Interstate 95 remains congested while the investigation is ongoing. Officials said the information is preliminary and that more details will be released.