Crime & Safety

Bradenton Man Arrested After Reportedly Fleeing Wrong Way Twice

A man who reportedly drove the wrong way on Interstate 75 and U.S. 41 and rammed the Florida Highway Patrol trooper's car has been arrested.

BRADENTON, FL -- A man who reportedly drove the wrong way on Interstate 75 and U.S. 41 and rammed the Florida Highway Patrol trooper's car that tried to stop him is facing multiple charges.

According to the FHP, around 5 a.m. Thursday, May 17, Joseph R. Neumair, 34, of Bradenton was spotted driving his 2011 Nissan Rogue north in the southbound lanes of I-75 starting at the Hillsborough-Manatee county line.

He exited the highway at Gibsonton Road and began heading west. When troopers tried to stop him at U.S. 41 and Gibsonton Road, the FHP said Neumair put his car in reverse and rammed the trooper's car.

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Troopers said he then fled, once again driving the wrong way, traveling south in the northbound lanes of U.S. 41. At one point, troopers say he tried to ram other patrol cars. Troopers finally stopped him at the intersection of U.S. 41 and 105th Street S.E. in Ruskin.

Neumair was charged with fleeing and eluding, driving under the influence, DUI property damage, reckless driving and aggravated battery.

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Neumair refused to take a blood-alcohol test. He is being held at the Hillsborough County Jail in lieu of $16,750 bail.

Image via FHP

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