Stuart officer, cruisers hit as Palm Beach Gardens man charged in high-speed chase

STUART, Fla. - A Palm Beach Gardens man sped away from a traffic stop and struck a Stuart police officer and two department cruisers as he fled early Monday, according to a press release.

Jorge Luis Rivera, 28, may have fled Stuart police because his license was suspended and he was on probation for leaving the scene of a crash with injuries, officers said. He was charged him with aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer, fleeing and eluding, leaving the scene of an accident, resisting an officer without violence and driving while his license was suspended.

Officers stopped Rivera at the North River Shores Plaza on Northwest Federal Highway about 1:40 a.m. Monday, Stuart police said. When the officers asked Rivera for his license, Rivera drove away and struck the knee of one of the lawmen and both of their cars, according to the police statement.

The corporal, who was not seriously injured, and the other officer followed Rivera as he drove onto U.S. 1 to the Roosevelt Bridge, they said. The pursuit ended when Rivera struck a tree at the intersection of Halpatiokee Street and St. Lucie Crescent, the officers said.

Rivera remained at the Martin County Jail in lieu of $36,550 bail Tuesday.