A suspect who struck a police officer and then led law enforcement on a chase down Micro Racetrack Road was ultimately airlifted after crashing into another vehicle.
Lady Lake officers at about noon Tuesday at Rolling Acres Road and Lake Ella Road stopped a black four-door sedan driven by 28-year-old Corey Gene Martin of Leesburg.
However, Martin put the car in gear and sped away, striking one of the Lady Lake officers.
Martin, who has a lengthy criminal history, turned onto Micro Racetrack Road after sideswiping a passing vehicle, according to the Lady Lake Police Department. Martin’s car crashed into a maroon SUV at the intersection of Micro Racetrack Road and County Road 466A
Martin’s car sustained serious damage and he was airlifted from the scene.
The driver of the car that was sideswiped was reportedly treated for chest pains.
A section of barbed wire at a pasture where cattle graze was damaged and workers were keeping a close eye on the animals, preventing them from straying onto the roadway. Lake County Animal Services responded to the scene.
The Lady Lake officer was not seriously injured.
Fruitland Park police and the Florida Highway Patrol were assisting in the investigation of the traffic crashes.
In addition to being classified as a habitual traffic offender, Martin is on felony probation through 2021.
