An illegal alien has been charged with driving without a license for a third time after she ran a red light and collided with police patrol vehicle in Florida last week, authorities say.
The harrowing incident unfolded in Orlando at around 6:15 am on April 3 but new details just emerged this week.
Belle Isle Police Department (BIPD) Officer Jacob Tapia was traveling through an intersection “when a vehicle failed to yield while making a left turn and struck Officer Tapia’s marked patrol unit. The impact sent his vehicle off the road, where it collided with a fence and tree,” BIPD explained in a statement.
Officers arrested the driver they believe is at-fault and identified her as 30-year-old Paula Hernandez Lazaro, an illegal alien from Mexico who has been arrested for driving without a license at least twice before.
Lazaro presented a Mexican passport to Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) during the crash investigation, prompting authorities to look into her immigration status.
They learned Lazaro illegally entered the U.S. via Texas and has lived in Florida for roughly 11 years, Fox 35 reports.
A Mexican illegal has been charged with driving without a license for a third time after she crashed into a marked patrol car, injuring a Florida police officer, authorities say
— Border Hawk (@BorderHawkNews) April 11, 2025
Paula Hernandez Lazaro, 30, has lived illegally in the US for at least 11 years
Full story coming pic.twitter.com/P2EkwZHx5L
The Mexican is being held at Orange County Jail on charges of operating a motor vehicle without a license and unlawful entry into the state of Florida.
“FHP has gone through the training already with ICE,” said BIPD Chief Travis Grimm. “I don’t want to speak on their behalf, but they’ve already gotten the clearance and the latitude to be able to use those authorities.”
BREAKING: Police in Orlando now confirming the woman ARRESTED for crashing into a Belle Isle police officer is an ILLEGAL ALIEN.
— Dapper Detective (@Dapper_Det) April 10, 2025
Paula Hernandez Lazaro, a Mexican national is charged with driving without a licence & entering the U.S. illegally.
The officer remains hospitalized. pic.twitter.com/hHcMh1BDd9
Officer Tapia was briefly hospitalized with minor injuries but is expected to make a full recovery, BIPD says.
InfoWars recently reported on increased powers granted to Florida law enforcement to assist the Trump administration in cracking down on illegal immigration.