A 19-year-old Zephyrhills man faces serious felony charges after allegedly leading Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) troopers on a high-speed pursuit reaching approximately 130 mph along Interstate 275. The dramatic late-night chase culminated in a crash with two civilian vehicles and ended when a trooper executed a Precision Immobilization Technique (PIT) maneuver near Wesley Chapel, Florida.
Authorities identified the driver as Yaseen Algmaiee. According to an FHP arrest affidavit, the incident began late Saturday night and extended into early Sunday morning, concluding shortly after midnight when Algmaiee was taken into custody.
How the 130 MPH Interstate 275 Chase Unfolded
The high-speed incident started when a Florida Highway Patrol trooper in Pinellas County attempted to catch up to a black Chevrolet Corvette traveling northbound on I-275 at an excessive speed. The vehicle was initially spotted near mile marker 34. Another trooper in Hillsborough County later located the sports car heading north without its taillights activated.
According to investigators, the driver was weaving aggressively through traffic, flashing headlights at other motorists to clear the road. When a trooper activated emergency lights and sirens near mile marker 47, the driver refused to stop and accelerated heavily.
The affidavit states that the Corvette reached speeds of about 130 mph while utilizing both the left and right highway shoulders to pass other drivers. The suspect then took the exit ramp near mile marker 59 toward State Road 56 in Wesley Chapel.
Corvette Collision and FHP PIT Maneuver
Once off the interstate, the Corvette continued traveling westbound on State Road 56. Law enforcement reports indicate that Algmaiee attempted to squeeze between two civilian vehicles, clipping both cars and causing property damage before attempting to drive away.
To safely terminate the dangerous pursuit, the pursuing trooper executed a PIT maneuver. The tactical intervention forced the sports car to spin out, allowing officers to box in the vehicle and take the driver into custody without further incident.
Emergency medical evaluations and official logs did not immediately report severe injuries resulting from the multi-vehicle collision, though property damage was sustained by the struck automobiles.
Charges and Prior Legal History
Following his arrest shortly after midnight on Sunday, Yaseen Algmaiee was booked into the Hillsborough County Jail. He faces multiple formal charges, including:
- Aggravated fleeing to elude law enforcement (a second-degree felony)
- Leaving the scene of a crash involving property damage (a second-degree misdemeanor)
Court records and investigative background checks reveal that Algmaiee has a prior history of reckless driving cases in the Tampa Bay region, including a notable October 2025 single-vehicle crash involving a BMW truck collision on I-75, as well as a 2024 traffic citation on Bruce B. Downs Boulevard.
As legal proceedings move forward in the Hillsborough County Circuit Court, all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was arrested in the 130 mph Corvette chase?
Yaseen Algmaiee, a 19-year-old resident of Zephyrhills, Florida, was arrested by the Florida Highway Patrol following the high-speed pursuit.
What highway did the high-speed pursuit take place on?
The chase primarily took place along Interstate 275 northbound, stretching from Pinellas and Hillsborough counties before exiting onto State Road 56 in Wesley Chapel.
How did troopers finally stop the speeding Corvette?
After the Corvette struck two civilian vehicles on State Road 56, an FHP trooper executed a PIT (Precision Immobilization Technique) maneuver to spin the sports car out and end the chase.
What specific charges does Algmaiee face?
He has been charged with aggravated fleeing to elude law enforcement and leaving the scene of a crash involving property damage.
Where is the suspect being held?
Algmaiee was transported following his arrest and booked into the Hillsborough County Jail.
