PORT ST. Lucy, Fla. – A 30-year-old Lauderhill by the Sea man faces multiple charges in connection with the death of a 26-year-old Florida Highway Patrol trooper and truck driver Friday morning in St. Lucy County.
Michael Addison was booked into the St. Lucie County Jail at 9:21 p.m. Friday and made his first appearance Saturday morning during a 4 1/2-minute arraignment in Port St. Lucie via Zoom.
Addison was charged with running away from Trooper Zachary Fing, which resulted in his death.
The St. Lucie County Jail listed 12 charges.
WATCH: Judge faces suspect in FHP trooper's death
Michael Addison faces judge after FHP trooper, truck driver dies
“We intend to take full responsibility for the defendant's lives and the immeasurable pain he caused,” Dave Kerner, executive director of Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, said in a news release. They agree that it is not.
“Trooper Fink gave his life to hold the defendant accountable and protect our community from harm, and we will work to ensure that Trooper Fink's mission is accomplished,” said Kerner, a former mayor of Palm Beach County.
St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office
He faces charges from three agencies.
The FHP charges include two counts of vehicular homicide, two counts of felony murder, two counts of murder in the commission of a felony, driving without a license causing death or serious injury, aggravated escape causing serious injury or death and aggravated murder.
St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office is responsible for fleeing the police with lights and sirens activated.
“All law enforcement officers put their lives on the line every day to protect our residents,” said St. Lucie County Sheriff Keith Pearson. “If Michael Addison had followed the rule of law and complied with law enforcement, this tragedy could have been prevented. Thanks to the concerted efforts of law enforcement, he will be held accountable for his actions.”
Two charges are linked to out-of-county warrants for aggravated assault and felon in possession of a firearm in Broward County.
Chief Judge Charles “Tony” Schwab of the 19th Judicial Circuit held him without bond in all but three cases and said a public defender would initially represent him.
No arrest report has been received so far.
“Yesterday was a sad day,” FHP Col. Gary House said in a news release. “It is impossible to sum up the sense of loss felt by an individual's reckless decisions with complete disregard for the safety of others. This criminal chose his actions, which took two people from their families and loved ones. In Trooper Fing its selfless heroes at their finest. Through his arrest, these serial criminals are spared the consequences of his actions. He won't, and he will be held accountable.”
Port St. Lucie
Neighbors say fallen trooper was 'incredibly warm and friendly'
Feb 02, 2024 at 11:00 PM
Howes said Fink, a three-year veteran of the agency, was driving a white Kia “recklessly” and following a speeding man on I-95 just before 3 a.m.
Just south of Crosstown Parkway, the Kia attempted to make a U-turn to head north in the southbound lanes to escape the country.
The driver took off on foot, which prompted a large, multi-agency manhunt, Hoss said.
The driver of the semi in the I-95 crash died at the scene, while Fink was taken to HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
The truck driver has not been identified.
The veteran's mother, Heather Yockey-Fink, released a statement to WPTV:
“First, we want to thank FHP and our community, friends and neighbors for all the outpouring and condolences we have received. Zachary was a wonderful man. He genuinely cared about people and animals in general. Big heart and great personality. His humor was great and he was fluent in the art of sarcasm. was, lol. He loved the beach and the outdoors. He enjoyed being active, playing sports, especially soccer, surfing and skim-boarding, but most of all he enjoyed fishing.
We want to let the community know how much the family appreciates the outpouring of love and care. It still doesn't feel real.”
Contributed
Younger brother Joshua Fink, a sergeant in the U.S. Army stationed at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, will take leave to come home when the services are announced, he said.
He is engaged to his high school sweetheart, Amanda.
Fink grew up in Lake Worth and Palm Springs, attending Highland Elementary School, Kirkland Elementary and Jefferson Davis Middle before moving to Port St. Lucie with her father and Port St. Lucie, where she spent her teenage years.
