Highly Respected News Website
Delivering Accurate and Informative News
30-Year-Old Man Facing Multiple Charges Following Tragic Incident
Port St. Lucie, Florida
Posted on February 3, 2024
A 30-year-old Lauderhill by the Sea man, Michael Anthony Addison, has been taken into custody, facing several charges in connection to a devastating incident that unfolded on a Friday morning.
The incident involved the loss of the lives of 26-year-old Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Zachary Fink and a truck driver. Addison was apprehended on Friday at the St. Lucie County Jail and made his first appearance at the Port St. Lucie hearing via Zoom on Saturday morning.
Dave Kerner, the executive director of Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, expressed his intent to hold the defendant fully accountable for the lives he has taken and the incredible pain he has caused. Kerner, a former Palm Beach County mayor, emphasized the commitment to ensuring Trooper Fink’s intent of keeping the community safe is fulfilled.
Image Source: St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office
Addison is now facing charges from three different agencies. With regards to the Florida Highway Patrol, he has been charged with two counts of vehicular homicide, two counts of felony homicide, two counts of murder committed during a crime, driving without a license causing death or serious injury, aggravated flee to elude with serious injury or death, and felony homicide.
The St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office has charged Addison with fleeing to elude police with lights/sirens activated. Additionally, there are also out-of-county warrants against him in Broward County for aggravated assault and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
St. Lucie County Sheriff Keith Pearson highlighted that this tragedy could have been prevented if Addison had followed the rule of law and complied with law enforcement. He extended his gratitude to the combined efforts of law enforcement in ensuring that Addison will be held accountable for his actions.
During the ordeal, Trooper Fink pursued a reckless driver of a white Kia who was driving in a dangerous manner and speeding on I-95. The driver, in an attempt to elude the pursuit, made an ill-fated U-turn on the southbound lanes south of Crosstown Parkway, triggering a massive manhunt after fleeing on foot.
Tragically, the driver of the semi-involved in the ensuing crash on Interstate 95 died at the scene, and Trooper Fink was flown to HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased. The truck driver’s identification has not yet been released by the Florida Highway Patrol.
The mother of Trooper Zachary Fink, Heather Yokie-Fink, expressed her gratitude for the support and condolences received from the community. She described her son as an incredible individual with a big heart and cherished his love for people, animals, and various outdoor activities.
“We would like to relay to the community how much the family appreciates the outpour of love and care. It still doesn’t feel real.”
Trooper Fink’s younger brother, Sgt. Joshua Fink, currently serving in the U.S. Army at Ft. Campbell, will be taking leave and returning home to be present when the services are announced. Trooper Fink spent his youth in Lake Worth and Palm Springs before moving to Port St. Lucie with his father, where he spent his teenage years.
For more information:
