Florida Cop Injured After Illegal Immigrant Crashes Into Patrol Car [WATCH]

A police officer in Belle Isle, Florida, is recovering after his marked patrol vehicle was struck by an unlicensed driver who authorities say has been living in the United States illegally for over a decade.

As Fox News reported, Officer Jacob Tapia of the Belle Isle Police Department sustained injuries on April 3 when Paula Hernandez Lazaro failed to yield while making a left turn and crashed into his patrol car.

The impact pushed the patrol vehicle off the roadway, causing it to collide with a tree and a fence.

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Tapia was transported to Orlando Regional Medical Center with 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 stated.

The crash investigation led authorities to discover that Lazaro had no valid driver’s license and had previously been cited for the same offense.

Further inquiry revealed she has been residing in Florida illegally after entering the U.S. through Texas around 11 years ago.

According to Belle Isle Police Chief Travis Grimm, Lazaro presented a Mexican passport without an entry stamp to a Florida Highway Patrol trooper at the scene. This prompted a check into her immigration status.

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“She has been living in Florida for about 11 years and entered the country illegally through Texas,” Grimm said.

Lazaro was arrested and charged with operating a vehicle without a valid license and unauthorized entry into the state of Florida. The Florida Highway Patrol has taken over the investigation.

Grimm noted that Florida troopers have received the training required to handle such cases involving suspected illegal immigrants.

“FHP has gone through the training already with ICE. I don’t want to speak on their behalf, but they’ve already gotten the clearance and the latitude to be able to use those authorities.”

The Belle Isle Police Department issued a statement thanking residents for their support following the incident.

“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.

Authorities have not yet announced if Lazaro will face any additional charges or if deportation proceedings will follow her arrest.

BREAKING: Police in Orlando now confirming the woman ARRESTED for crashing into a Belle Isle police officer is an ILLEGAL ALIEN.

Paula Hernandez Lazaro, a Mexican national is charged with driving without a licence & entering the U.S. illegally.

The officer remains hospitalized. pic.twitter.com/hHcMh1BDd9

— Dapper Detective (@Dapper_Det) April 10, 2025

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