Melbourne man, suspected of arson, dies in police chase
Associated Press
Last update: 09 August 2003
MELBOURNE -- An arson suspect was killed in an accident during a police chase on Interstate 95 in Brevard County on Friday.
David Kruljac, 42, of Melbourne, died when he drove head-on into a tractor-trailer, was ejected and was run over by a Melbourne police squad car, said Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Kim Miller.
The accident closed a stretch of I-95, the major traffic artery on Florida's east coast, for about three hours.
Police said Kruljac allegedly set fire to the Melbourne home he shared with a housemate, then stole his housemate's 1994 Chevrolet pickup.
Melbourne police began chasing Kruljac northbound on I-95, and used stop sticks to blow out the pickup's four tires. Kruljac drove into the median, then into southbound traffic for a half-mile before colliding with the truck, Miller said.
Kruljac was run over by the police car driven by Officer Chad Webe, officials said.
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Information from: Florida Today, http://www.floridatoday.com
Associated Press
Last update: 09 August 2003
MELBOURNE -- An arson suspect was killed in an accident during a police chase on Interstate 95 in Brevard County on Friday.
David Kruljac, 42, of Melbourne, died when he drove head-on into a tractor-trailer, was ejected and was run over by a Melbourne police squad car, said Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Kim Miller.
The accident closed a stretch of I-95, the major traffic artery on Florida's east coast, for about three hours.
Police said Kruljac allegedly set fire to the Melbourne home he shared with a housemate, then stole his housemate's 1994 Chevrolet pickup.
Melbourne police began chasing Kruljac northbound on I-95, and used stop sticks to blow out the pickup's four tires. Kruljac drove into the median, then into southbound traffic for a half-mile before colliding with the truck, Miller said.
Kruljac was run over by the police car driven by Officer Chad Webe, officials said.
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Information from: Florida Today, http://www.floridatoday.com