Tampa, FL : Multi-vehicle crash causes traffic jam on I-275 Southbound at Ashley exit on Wednesday afternoon, September 24, 2014

Tampa Police say 29-year-John Edgerton of Tampa is the man who stole a Hillsborough County Fire Rescue vehicle and led Hillsborough County Sheriff deputies and TPD officers on a chase down Interstate 275 on Wednesday afternoon. At 5 p.m. today, deputies responded to Nebraska Avenue and 139th in reference to a single vehicle crash where they say a vehicle driven by Edgerton struck a pole. HCFR also responded to the scene. A Battalion Chief with the fire department arrived at the scene and Edgerton, jumped out of his vehicle and jumped into the fire dept. pickup truck and fled the scene. Police revealed the vehicle Edgerton was driving in the crash was stolen. Deputies pursued the fire department vehicle driven by Edgerton at that point onto Southbound Interstate 275 and ended the pursuit in the area of Sligh Avenue where it was then picked up by TPD. The vehicle continued on and crashed into another vehicle in the area of Interstate 275 near Ashley Street. The driver of the other vehicle was taken to Tampa General Hospital and is reported to be in stable condition. TPD Public Information Officer Andrea Davis reported that Edgerton got out of his vehicle and ran from the accident. Davis revealed that officers ran after Edgerton and a violent struggle ensued. TPD officers took Edgerton into custody at the scene. Davis informs News Channel 8 that two officers were taken to TGH with injuries consisting of a possible broken hand and stitches. Edgerton has been charged with two counts each of grand theft auto & battery on a law enforcement officer and one count each of resisting arrest with violence and aggravated fleeing. All lanes of Interstate 275 at Ashley Street were closed for a short while during rush hour Wednesday evening. One lane opened to traffic shortly after 6 p.m. All lanes of I-275 reopened at about 9:15 p.m. Source : Chase, multi-vehicle crash causes traffic jam on I-275 Southbound at Ashley exit