23/11/2006 A man is dead after he crashed his vehicle, bringing a chase that led police through the streets of Broward County to a fatal finale.
Police say the pursuit began with a domestic abuse call, when suspect William Rosenbaum arrived at his ex-wife's place of employment to face her.
"At about 8:55 the Fort Lauderdale Police Department received a call of a domestic disturbance at Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport," explained Lt. Bill Bamford of the Davie Police Department.
"We do know that the man was served a restraining order by his wife. He went to the airport to confront her."
The confrontation occurred in the parking lot of Spherion, a recruiting and staffing company located at 2050 NW 49 Street. The company is located within Executive Airport park.
"He proceeds to beat her with the gun," Bamford said, "knocks her to the ground. He put serious injuries to her, and then he flees the airport."
Police then responded to a "be-on-the-lookout" alert. Officers spotted the car and the chase ensued.
At around Nob Hill Road the suspect fired at officers and police returned fire. More police units joined the chase, including a police helicopter.
Police had to shut down Southwest 32nd Street and Davie Road after the pursuit came to a crashing conclusion.
As TV cameras rolled, Rosenbaum rammed his white Jeep into a row of palm trees and then flipped his vehicle several times on Davie Road, before 32nd Street.
Police approached the disabled vehicle with caution and weapons drawn. When the driver did not exit the Jeep, police ripped the canvas roof open.
The suspect appeared motionless, lying unconscious on the ground. Ambulance units were on the scene to transport the man to Broward General Medical Center where he later died.
The intense chase lasted for about 20 minutes through side streets and residential areas. In an attempt to stop the driver, police tried to use road spikes but were unsuccessful as the suspect kept driving with severe damage to his tires.
Rescue crews transported Rosenbaum to the hospital where he would later be pronounced dead. "We do know now that he has expired at the hospital," said Bamford. "We don't know what the cause of death was at this time."
In the meantime, the wife is being treated at Holy Cross Hospital in Fort Lauderdale and is expected to be OK.
