A Florida police officer is recovering after an illegal immigrant crashed into his patrol car last week.
Belle Isle police officer Jacob Tapia sustained injuries on April 3rd when Paula Hernandez Lazaro crashed into his patrol car while making a left turn without yielding. Lazaro, who was driving without a valid license, hit Tapia’s car with such force that it veered off the road and struck a tree and a fence.
The officer was treated at Orlando Regional Medical Center for minor injuries and was released the same day.
“He’s expected to make a full recovery and will be following up to ensure there are no lingering issues,” the department said.
Paula Hernandez Lazaro entered the U.S. illegally through Texas and has been living in Florida for about 11 years. (Belle Isle Police Department)
When Lazaro presented a Mexican passport without a U.S. entry stamp to a state trooper, questions arose about her citizenship status. She has been residing in Florida for approximately 11 years after illegally entering the country through Texas.
Grimm said Florida Highway Patrol troopers have undergone the training necessary to handle and arrest suspected illegal immigrants.
Grimm mentioned that the Florida Highway Patrol had received training from ICE. While he refrained from speaking on their behalf, he noted that they had been authorized to utilize certain powers and permissions following the training.
Paula Hernandez Lazaro has been cited two times for driving without a license, Belle Isle police said. (Belle Isle Police Department)
Belle Isle police thanked the community for checking in on the injured officer over the past week.
“Your support means the world to him and to all of us. It’s genuinely amazing to serve a community that cares so deeply about its police officers,” the department wrote on Facebook.
