A Fort Myers man is facing a serious felony charge after intentionally driving his car into a Clearwater police officer’s marked truck just after midnight, then calmly telling officers he did it on purpose while offering absolutely no explanation for why. The officer, who was simply waiting at a red light in his Ford F-150 patrol vehicle, was taken to a nearby hospital and later released with minor injuries. The suspect, 27-year-old Garrett Burr, was booked into the Pinellas County Jail on a charge of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.
The incident took place around midnight on Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard, just west of U.S. 19 in Clearwater. Burr, who was driving a brand-new 2025 Kia Soul, accelerated into the officer’s marked F-150 while the vehicle was stopped at a red light. There was no ambiguity about intent. When officers spoke with Burr, he confirmed he had aimed the car at the police vehicle deliberately. After that admission, he declined to say anything further.
Florida law does not require a suspect to explain himself, and Burr exercised that right fully. What he left behind, however, is a criminal record that may follow him for a very long time. Aggravated battery with a deadly weapon is classified as a second-degree felony in Florida under Florida Statute 784.045, and a motor vehicle qualifies as a deadly weapon when used in this manner. A conviction carries penalties of up to 15 years in prison, up to 15 years of probation, and up to $15,000 in fines…