An 18-year-old man from Orlando punched a Florida Highway Patrol trooper in the face during a traffic stop on I-95 near Titusville on June 25, 2026, according to dashcam video released by FHP. The incident occurred around 7:00 a.m. when officers pulled over the suspect’s vehicle for a traffic violation. The video shows the trooper attempting to approach the driver before being struck. Six other individuals in the vehicle fled on foot into a nearby wooded area and remain at large, FHP said.
The trooper suffered minor injuries and was treated at the scene, according to a statement from the Florida Highway Patrol. No charges have been filed yet, but investigators are reviewing the video to determine the full scope of the incident. The suspect’s vehicle was found abandoned near the highway, and authorities are working to identify the other individuals who fled.
The traffic stop was part of a routine enforcement operation, FHP said. The trooper involved has been placed on administrative leave pending an internal investigation. Local law enforcement agencies are coordinating with FHP to track down the suspects.
Residents near the I-95 corridor said the area has seen an uptick in traffic-related incidents this year. Brevard County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Maria Lopez declined to comment on the specifics but confirmed they are assisting in the manhunt.
FHP is urging anyone with information about the fleeing suspects to contact the department immediately. The suspect’s identity has not been released, but investigators are using license plate records and witness statements to build a case. The incident has sparked discussions among local officials about increasing patrols in the area.