TAMPA - Authorities said they arrested a man on drunken driving and other charges after he drove in the wrong direction on Interstate 75 around rush hour Thursday.
Charles J. Behrens, 23, of 3033 N Lakeview Drive, Tampa, at one point grabbed an officer by the arms and tried to drag him with his car, said Florida Highway Patrol Lt. Allan Carter.
Behrens is charged with aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer, resisting arrest with violence and driving under the influence. Other traffic charges are pending, troopers said.
The episode started when Trooper Jessie Hinson responded to a hit-and-run crash with injuries about 4:30 p.m. at E Fletcher Avenue, west of I-75.
Soon after Hinson arrived, FHP received a call that a black car was going north in the southbound lanes of I-75 from the Fletcher exit. The hit-run victim told Hinson the car that hit her was a black car with damage. Troopers did not release the name of the victim, but said she was taken to a hospital with injuries.
Robert Ferguson, a Department of Environmental Protection officer, saw the black car near the Pasco-Hillsborough county line and tried to stop it. Troopers said Behrens kept driving and didn't stop until he got near the State Road 56 exit.
When Ferguson walked up to the driver to make an arrest, troopers said, Behrens grabbed Ferguson's arms and tried to drag him with the car. Ferguson escaped without serious injury, and resumed following Behrens.
Troopers said Behrens eventually pulled to the side of I-75.
