A Florida police officer is healing after an illegal immigrant collided with his patrol cruiser last week.
Belle Isle police officer Jacob Tapia was hurt on April 3 after Paula Hernandez Lazaro collided with his patrol vehicle after failing to yield while making a left turn. Lazaro, who was driving without a licence, slammed Tapia’s car so forcefully that it veered off the road and collided with a tree and a fence.
The cop was treated at Orlando Regional Medical Centre for minor injuries and released the following day.
“He’s expected to make a full recovery and will be following up to ensure there are no lingering issues,” a department spokesperson said.
According to the agency, this was Lazaro’s second citation for driving without a licence.
Belle Isle police learnt that Lazaro was unlawfully present in the United States. She was caught and accused with driving without a valid licence and unauthorised entry into Florida.
Belle Isle Police Chief Travis Grimm told FOX 35 Orlando that the Florida Highway Patrol is in charge of the investigation.
Lazaro’s citizenship status was investigated after she submitted a state trooper her Mexican passport without a stamp for admission into the United States. She has lived in Florida for about 11 years, having entered the nation illegally through Texas.
Grimm said Florida Highway Patrol troopers have received the proper training to handle and arrest suspected illegal aliens.
“FHP has gone through the training already with ICE,” Grimm said. “I don’t want to speak on their behalf, but they’ve already gotten the clearance and the latitude to be able to use those authorities.”
