Wild Chase in the Florida Keys!

Video Description

On 11/4/2025, I was on patrol in Key Largo, Monroe County, Florida, operating a marked Florida Highway Patrol car, unit 1780. I was southbound State Road 5 (Overseas Highway) approaching the red traffic signal at JMM 100/Atlantic Blvd. While stopped at the red signal, a Monroe County Sheriff Office marked vehicle pulled alongside me. It was being driven by Deputy Salisha Fereira, who advised me that MCSO was chasing a southbound vehicle and requested assistance. Deputy Fereira and I drove southbound together with her in the left lane and me in the right lane as the MCSO chase came up behind us. At about the 99 mile marker, the subject vehicle passed me on my left and I moved into position to perform a PIT maneuver in an effort to end the pursuit. I aligned the left side of my PIT bumper with the right rear of the subject vehicle. I made firm contact and steered into the subject vehicle, but the front wheels of the 4-wheel drive Range Rover kept the rear end from losing grip. My patrol car separated from the subject vehicle and traveled onto the east shoulder of State Road 5, knocking down several signs. I then reentered SR 5 to continue pursuing the subject’s vehicle. Trooper Elvis Mejia joined in the pursuit in the area of MM 96. The defendant was driving in excess of 122 MPH in the area of MM 96-92. As we approached Burton Drive, the defendant slowed and came to stop. I began to exit my patrol car to apprehend the subject. The defendant then began to flee southbound again. At this time, Trooper Mejia was behind me as we continued the pursuit. The defendant's driving was willful and wanton with regard to safety of persons and property throughout the pursuit, with the vehicle being driven to the right of southbound traffic and being operated on the shoulder and sidewalk. I continued to look for opportunity to perform a PIT maneuver to bring the pursuit to a close and judged that it was imperative to apprehend the subject for the safety of the public. As we approached Founders Park, the defendant turned into the park and drove toward the marina in the back. The defendant then entered a service drive area of the park and drove to locked gates. The defendant then drove around maintenance equipment and began to head for the exit and back to State Road 5. As he exited near the guardhouse, he crashed into a component of the guardhouse complex yet continued to flee toward State Road 5 despite being involved in a crash. Once back on State Road 5, the defendant drove south with two other troopers and myself attempting to PIT maneuver the fleeing vehicle. The right front tire was off from the crash at the guardhouse and only the rim was making contact with the roadway. The defendant turned left and entered Old Highway and then back to State Road 5. We continued to make contact with the fleeing vehicle to stop the vehicle for the safety of the subject and the public. We were able to PIT and push the fleeing vehicle into the outside shoulder of southbound State Road 5 where the vehicle came to rest against a boat that was on a trailer behind a Dodge pickup truck. I exited my patrol car and approached the vehicle at gunpoint, opening the driver door and using my left hand to pull the subject out of the vehicle to place him in custody. He resisted the efforts of other troopers and deputies during this time. The subject had one hand up underneath his stomach and we were commanding him to show us his hand and release it due to concern of a weapon or other unknown object in his hidden hand. Despite his resistance we were able to get control of him and place him into custody. I noticed that he had a glaze to his eyes and was acting out of character for someone who had fled and had resisted the efforts of law enforcement. Monroe County Fire-Rescue (#4MCSO25CAD174957/MCSO250FF007397) treated the defendant at the scene and transported him to Mariner’s Hospital. The defendant made a statement to the paramedics that he had taken 80 mg of Adderall. Those same statements were later made to me post Miranda. After being cleared at Mariner’s Hospital, I transported him to the MCSO Plantation Key DUI processing center. SFSTs were not requested due to officer safety and potential for fleeing again. At the Intoxilyzer, the defendant blew .000. He consented to providing a urine sample which was handled by Trooper Nicholas Pope, as was the Intoxilyzer portion. Defendant then transported to PK Jail.