An off-duty deputy shot and killed a man who stole a Coca-Cola semi truck and caused three different crashes.
On Friday in Spring Hill, Florida around 4 a.m., a woman informed police that she was being followed.
After authorities first questioned 30-year-old Ronald Michael Robbibaro, they released him.
According to Tampa Bay, soon after he was let go, police received a call about a hit-and-run incident on U.S. 41 involving the same man. After Robbibaro fled the scene of the hit-and-run, the victim of the crash chased him down and found him near a Coca-Cola facility.
Robbibaro left his vehicle and ran into the facility where he stole a coca-cola truck, broke through the gate and drove off. That’s when Sergeant Paul Van Steen noticed the truck swerving in and out of lanes. The hijacker abruptly reversed the truck, and smashed right into the hood of the officer’s car.
He then sped off and crashed into yet another off-duty officer’s pickup.
The men then got out of their vehicles to face a confrontation.
Authorities reported that Pasco detention deputy Jeffrey Pyle took out his gun and told Robbiaro to get on the ground. Instead, he refused to cooperate and charged at the officer. The two engaged in a fight and the officer fired two shots, killing Robbibaro.
Pasco Sheriff Chris Nocco noted,
“It could have been somebody going to work driving with their kids in the car and this person basically has a couple ton weapon in their hands. And they’re trying to (ram) people off the road and back over other vehicles.”
As a result, Officer Pyle was put on unpaid administrated leave, which is standard practice for this kind of incident.