Carjacker Stealing an Electrician's Work Van Ends in Crash After Police Chase
MARTIN COUNTY, Fla. The man accused of carjacking an electrician's work van and leading deputies on a dangerous chase down Interstate 95 has been identified as Michael Kungis.
The incident began as a carjacking at the Gallery Square South Plaza in Tequesta.
Tequesta Police said a worker for Bill Gilberts Electrical Incorporated was about to get into his van when the carjacker appeared on the passenger side. The two exchanged words and the carjacker got into the van and drove off.
The owner of the electrical company used his own car to chase the carjacker.
Jupiter police spotted the van and notified the Martin County Sheriff's Office who picked up the chase along Interstate 95.
"The vehicle refused to stop and began driving recklessly," said Sheriff William Snyder.
"The driver of the van intentionally swerved toward our patrol car, hit the patrol car and lost control, rolling 7 or 8 times," added Snyder.
The stolen van caught fire on the side of the road.
The deputy is in good condition.
Kungis was ejected from the van and flown to Lawnwood Regional Medical Center & Heart Institute in Fort Pierce. Kungis remains in coma.
Kungis is an early release inmate from the state prison system, officials said. He was sentenced Sept. 28, 2012, and received gain time to be released 10 months early from the state Department of Corrections on May 15, 2014.
His charges included trafficking in stolen property and commercial fraud less than $300, officials said. He's had 47 felony charges, 10 felony convictions, 17 misdemeanor charges and seven misdemeanor convictions.