Former GOP congressman crashes into Florida highway patrol vehicle in alleged road rage incident: report

Former Republican Congressman Madison Cawthorn was alleged by a witnesser to person crashed his conveyance into a Florida Highway Patrol cruiser connected Monday. 

Alethea Shapiro wrote connected X that she was traveling southbound successful the near lane connected Interstate 75 towards Miami erstwhile an assertive operator successful a achromatic sports car began tailgating her. 

"I accelerated up and moved to the close lane successful beforehand of a tractor trailer to fto the car by," Shapiro recounted. "[Five] minutes later, the road comes to a implicit stop, I swerve to the broadside truthful nary 1 rear ends maine and dilatory to a halt. 

"Suddenly, the car doorway opens and a antheral successful a wheelchair rolls out," she continued. "At the aforesaid moment, I person to navigate astir his car and I look up to spot the serviceman exiting from his rear-ended conveyance holding his cervix successful the near lane arsenic well." 

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Former U.S. Rep. Madison Cawthorn was allegedly progressive successful a car mishap with a Florida Highway Patrol conveyance connected Monday, April 15, 2024.  (Alethea Shapiro/LOCAL NEWS X/TMX)

Shapiro identified Cawthorn arsenic the operator and shared video that purports to amusement him conversing with the authorities trooper. 

"I pulled implicit to the close enarthrosis lane and stopped to inquire if everyone was good and to connection assistance. I couldn't judge my eyes. It occurred to maine that erstwhile CONGRESSMAN CAWTHORNE [sic] from NC was the achromatic CAR that stormed by maine successful an aggravated roadworthy rage tantrum," Shapiro wrote. 

"I spoke to the bull to spot if helium was good arsenic helium was rather stunned & kept reaching for his neck. He said helium was ok, asked if I was a witness, (I wasn't, I indispensable person been 30 seconds behind) and I gave them h2o arsenic I didn't cognize what other to do." 

Shapiro said the serviceman thanked her for stopping. 

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A witnesser said Cawthorn, 28, was the antheral driving a achromatic sports car that rear ended the authorities trooper.  (Alethea Shapiro/LOCAL NEWS X/TMX)

"As I drove distant & replayed the surreal country successful my head, I realized it was the aforesaid car who was erratically & aggressively driving down & past astir me. Unbelievably scary & upsetting to see." 

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, astatine astir 4:30 p.m. connected Monday, an FHP authorities trooper conveyance was rear ended connected I-75, astatine mile marker 60, successful a operation portion successful Collier County. The different conveyance was a 2021 Mercedes driven by a 28-year-old antheral from Cape Coral, Florida.

"The authorities trooper sustained insignificant injuries and was transported to an country hospital," Lt. Greg Bueno said successful a statement. 

Bueno said the operator of the Mercedes was cited for violating Florida's Move Over Law. 

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"We tin corroborate that connected April 15, 2024, astatine 16:30 hours, an FHP State Trooper conveyance (Dodge Charger) was rear ended connected Interstate 75, astatine mile marker 60, successful a operation zone, successful Collier County, by a 2021 Mercedes, driven by a 28-year-old antheral from Cape Coral, Florida," Lt. Greg Bueno told Fox News Digital successful a statement.  (Alethea Shapiro/LOCAL NEWS X/TMX)

Public records amusement that the 28-year-old Cawthorn, who formerly represented North Carolina's 11th Congressional District, present resides successful a $1.1 cardinal location successful Cape Coral, Florida. 

Once seen arsenic a rising prima successful the GOP, Cawthorn's tumultuous word successful bureau was arsenic little arsenic it was controversial. He infamously claimed to person been invited to orgies connected Capitol Hill, a communicative helium aboriginal retracted aft gathering with then-House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy. 

During his clip successful office, Cawthorn besides faced allegations of insider trading, improper payments and was detained, but not charged, for attempting to instrumentality a handgun done a North Carolina airport. He antecedently had been charged doubly with driving with a revoked license. 

Cawthorn mislaid the 2022 Republican superior to Rep. Chuck Edwards, R-N.C., who went connected to triumph successful the wide election. 

When reached for comment, Cawthorn would neither corroborate nor contradict helium was the operator who crashed into the Florida Highway Patrol cruiser and directed further questions to his attorney. 

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Cawthorn's ineligible typical would neither corroborate nor contradict his engagement successful the accident. 

"Mr. Cawthorn's prayers spell retired to the Florida road patrol serviceman who was progressive successful the automobile mishap connected Monday," the lawyer told Fox News Digital.