GIBSONTON, Fla. – Florida Highway Patrol arrested Johnathan Porubcan, 38, after a dramatic high‑speed pursuit through Hillsborough County on Thursday night. The incident began shortly after 10:30 p.m. when a trooper observed a Ford truck traveling 91 mph in a 70‑mph zone near mile marker 251 on northbound I‑75 in Riverview.
Escalation of the chase
Instead of pulling over, Porubcan accelerated, prompting the trooper to activate emergency lights and sirens. The pursuit continued north on I‑75 before the truck exited onto State Road 60, headed west, then turned south onto U.S. 41. Throughout the chase the truck reached speeds exceeding 100 mph, drove in the opposite lane of traffic, and ran multiple red lights.
Attempted PIT maneuver and dangerous maneuvering
When the trooper attempted a precision immobilization technique (PIT maneuver) to end the chase, investigators say Porubcan swerved toward the patrol vehicle in an effort to prevent the maneuver and ram the trooper’s car off the road. The truck later sideswiped another vehicle traveling southbound on U.S. 41 near Riverview Drive.
After the collision, Porubcan kept driving south. The trooper made a second attempt at a PIT maneuver, but the truck’s damage prevented it from stopping. The vehicle finally careened into a ditch near railroad tracks, after which Porubcan fled on foot along Pennsylvania Avenue, crossing U.S. 41 near a motel in Gibsonton.
Arrest and medical evaluation
Troopers located Porubcan lying on the grass and placed him under arrest. He was taken to St. Joseph’s Hospital South in Riverview, where he was treated for rib and shoulder pain and later cleared. While at the hospital, a trooper questioned him about possible impairment. Porubcan admitted to consuming three shots of whiskey mixed with Coke and smoking marijuana earlier that day. He initially agreed to field‑sobriety tests but later refused, citing pain, and also declined to provide a voluntary blood sample.
Charges filed
Following booking at the Hillsborough County Jail, Porubcan faces multiple felony charges, including aggravated fleeing to elude causing serious bodily injury or death, aggravated assault on a law‑enforcement officer, hit‑and‑run involving property damage, DUI, resisting an officer without violence, driving with a canceled, suspended or revoked license, and false imprisonment.
Passenger’s account
The affidavit identifies a female passenger in the truck who repeatedly asked Porubcan to stop and let her out, fearing for her safety. Porubcan responded, “I got this.” After his arrest, he was observed sweating heavily, vomiting, and displaying body tremors.
Authorities have not released details about the driver of the vehicle that Porubcan sideswiped on U.S. 41.
Public‑safety reminder
This incident underscores the dangers of reckless driving, especially when it endangers other motorists and law‑enforcement personnel. Residents are urged to obey speed limits, obey traffic signals, and cooperate with police during traffic stops to keep Hillsborough’s roadways safe.
Original reporting: Tampa Bay Florida News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
