Deputies: Inmate hits corrections officer with shovel, steals his truck before crashing

Investigators said the Florida Department of Corrections inmate was taken back into custody.

Prisoner escape An inmate hit a corrections officer with a shovel and stole his pickup truck in Orange County before crashing the vehicle in Lake County on Thursday afternoon, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office said.

By Jason Kelly and Katrina Scales

Orlando, Fla. — An inmate hit a corrections officer with a shovel and stole his pickup truck in Orange County before crashing the vehicle in Lake County on Thursday afternoon.

The Orange County Sheriff’s Office said the inmate stole the vehicle shortly before 1 p.m. at State Road 408 and North John Young Parkway.

Deputies said a Sheriff’s Office helicopter spotted the inmate and followed him from a distance until he crashed at County Road 470th West and County Road 33 in Okahumpka.

Inmate steals truck, crashes An inmate stole a truck in Orange County and crashed it in Lake County. (WFTV)

Investigators said the Florida Department of Corrections inmate was taken back into custody.

They said corrections officer had minor injuries.