posted 10-26-2001 02:16 PM            

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Trooper Collapses In Osceola; Hazmat Team Called
Northbound Lanes Of Turnpike Closed
Posted: 11:31 a.m. EDT October 26, 2001
Updated: 2:13 p.m. EDT October 26, 2001

ST. CLOUD, Fla. -- A Florida Highway Patrol trooper became very sick after writing a ticket Friday morning along the Florida Turnpike in Osceola County.

The trooper had pulled over a black Nissan Maxima along the turnpike south of St. Cloud. He had just finished writing the ticket when he collapsed, Florida Highway Patrol spokeswoman Kim Miller said.

The northbound lanes of the Florida Turnpike are closed around mile marker 233 as a hazmat team conducts an investigation. The trooper is being flown by helicopter to Orlando Regional Medical Center for treatment.

The motorist fled from the scene, but it's unclear if the driver had anything to do with the incident.

Hazmat teams are checking the area for any signs of dangerous chemicals, and the northbound lanes of the turnpike are expected to be closed for several hours.

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posted 10-26-2001 03:04 PM            

The DPS officer exhibited no signs of physical distress, checking the miscreant's driver license and registration, then writing out the ticket. Upon completion of his shift, the DPS trooper went home and returned to work the next day, with no signs of any illness.

posted 10-27-2001 10:20 AM            

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Published Saturday, October 27, 2001

Turnpike, trooper OK after Jordanian scare

A common traffic stop on Florida's Turnpike Friday turned into search and rescue mission when a Florida Highway Patrol officer fell ill after ticketing a Jordanian man for speeding.

Florida's Turnpike was briefly closed near Orlando while the officer was airlifted to a local hospital. He was released after doctors determined he had a panic attack, and was not poisoned by a chemical or biological agent.

By the time the episode had ended, Georgia State Troopers were told to be on the lookout for Alaa Ishaq Eljallad, not because of the incident, but because it was discovered his visa had expired Oct. 18.

Here is how the events unfolded, according to authorities:

Shortly after 10 a.m., FHP officer Albert J. Renard was directed by a FHP pilot to stop a black 1999 Nissan clocked at 97 mph in a 70 mph zone of Florida's Turnpike in Osceola County. Renard caught up to the vehicle and issued Eljallad, 30, of Coconut Creek, a speeding ticket.

Unexplained: Why Eljallad's license plate bore the letters XEQ-SHNR (executioner).

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