NORTH FORT MYERS, Fla. — A Lee County Sheriff's deputy was injured Thursday night after investigators say a U-Haul driver rammed the stolen truck into a deputy's SUV.
LCSO says a license plate reader spotted a stolen U-Haul in North Fort Myers near Woodward Avenue and Pine Island Road.
A deputy found it at a gas station, shortly after. As they started to drive towards it, LCSO says the driver took off and deputies lost sight of it.
The driver, later identified as Michael Kurpaska, and a passenger were seen outside of the truck in the grass nearby. Deputies say they got back in the truck and sped off.
As deputies tried to stop the truck, they say Kurpaska started driving on the wrong side of the road.
The driver hit one deputy's car, then continued to drive recklessly, investigators say.
Kurpaska then hit another deputy head-on, causing non-life-threatening injuries, according to LCSO.
Near San Jose Street and Woodward Avenue, the truck stopped. Kurpaska was arrested, and deputies learned he is a convicted felon.
Inside the truck, deputies say they found a loaded gun and one round of ammunition.
He is facing several charges including aggravated battery, criminal mischief, hit-and-run with damage and a felon in possession of ammunition.
Deputies say the passenger took off, and they are still searching for them.
In the middle of deputies responding to the scene, LCSO says another crime happened.
According to a police report, a man threw a large rock at the side of the deputy's car near the Edison Mall.
Another deputy found the man standing in the road with his hands up, the report says. They arrested him for criminal mischief and projecting a deadly missile into a vehicle.
