GIBSONTON, Fla. – On the night of Oct. 19, deputies from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) attempted to stop a vehicle that was failing to stay in its lane on Gibsonton Drive near I‑75. The driver, Leo Gradley III, 29, ignored the stop request and fled, prompting a multi‑agency pursuit.
Pursuit and crash
Undercover deputies and the HCSO aviation unit tracked Gradley’s car as it weaved through several county roadways. The aircraft observed the vehicle leave a guardrail and enter a construction zone before it slammed into an embankment near the intersection of I‑75 and U.S. Highway 301.
Arrests and charges
Deputies quickly detained Gradley and his passenger, Angel Pribble, 27, a short distance from the crash site. Two additional passengers, Jasmine Likely, 36, and Andrew Hopson, 33, were taken into custody at the scene. All four suspects face multiple counts, including fleeing and attempting to elude a police officer, driving with a revoked license, possession of a controlled substance, and trespassing on a construction site. Hopson also faces a charge for possession of drug paraphernalia.
Corporal Niomi Bruce injured
During the incident, HCSO corporal Niomi Bruce, 30, was in her patrol car on northbound I‑75 with emergency lights activated when another vehicle struck her from behind. Bruce was thrown from her seat, suffered a lower‑back tear, bruising, whiplash, and temporary loss of feeling in her legs. She was taken to Tampa General Hospital and released the next day, reuniting with her family.
Investigation findings
Investigators discovered that Gradley’s driver’s license had been revoked since July 18, 2024, after a prior charge for fleeing law enforcement in Manatee County. A bag of crushed diazepam pills was also found in the vehicle.
Sheriff’s office response
Sheriff Chad Chronister emphasized that fleeing from law enforcement endangers all road users. “Thanks to our deputies and aviation unit, all four suspects are now being held accountable,” he said. He also reminded drivers of Florida’s Move‑Over law, urging motorists to slow down and change lanes for stopped emergency vehicles.
The investigation remains ongoing, and the Florida Highway Patrol cited the driver of the second vehicle for careless driving.
Original reporting: Tampa Bay Florida News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
