Attempted Murder Charges For Man Who Ran Over Bikers (Video)

LUTZ, FL — The 31-year-old Land O’ Lakes man accused in a Memorial Day road rage incident that left a motorcyclist and his passenger injured now faces attempted murder charges.

The Florida Highway Patrol amended charges against Robert Paul Vance Tuesday afternoon following the Monday incident that was caught on video by another motorist. According to the patrol, the incident happened at the corner of U.S. 41 and County Line Road in Lutz around 5:30 p.m.

Troopers say Vance and the driver of the motorcycle had gotten into a verbal dispute near the intersection of U.S. 41 and County Line Road. After “they exchanged a few choice words,” Vance, an arrest report states, changed lanes into the one occupied by the motorcycle, knocking its rider and passenger to the ground.

A video shot by a witness showed Vance’s back right wheel in the air, “traveling over the victim vehicle,” the arrest report noted.

After running over the bike, Vance fled the scene, the report said. Troopers, however, caught up with him at a home on Lutz Lake Fern Road. His car, the arrest report noted, had damage consistent with a hit-and-run crash. One of its tires had also been changed out with a donut, the report said.

Vance was initially booked into the Pasco County Jail on hit-and-run and aggravated battery charges. He now faces two counts of attempted murder instead of aggravated battery, troopers say.

Vance’s bond was set at $115,000 and his vehicle has seized. Vance was also charged for being “a habitual traffic offender.” 

The man and woman involved in the crash suffered minor injuries. Vance’s arrest report noted they both refused transport to a local hospital.

Booking photo and video courtesy of the Florida Highway Patrol

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