Fort Myers, FL – A North Fort Myers man has been sentenced to 13 years in prison after stealing a U-Haul truck and crashing head-on into a Lee County deputy’s vehicle during a police pursuit.
According to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, deputies attempted a traffic stop in November 2023 after a stolen U-Haul triggered a license plate reader near Woodward Avenue and Pine Island Road. Authorities said the driver refused to stop, swerving into the wrong lane at a high rate of speed and striking one patrol car before slamming into another deputy’s vehicle, injuring the officer.
The suspect, later identified as Michael Kurpaska, 40, was taken into custody near San Jose Street. Sheriff Carmine Marceno said the incident highlighted the dangers deputies face daily. “This man stole a U-Haul and drove head-on toward my deputy, injuring her. No sentence is long enough for someone so heartless, who deliberately targets law enforcement,” Marceno said.
Kurpaska, a registered felon, was convicted of battery on a law enforcement officer, criminal mischief, driving with a suspended license, and giving a false name to law enforcement. He also entered a plea of no contest for possession of ammunition by a convicted felon.
The deputy who was injured in the crash has since recovered, officials said.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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