Fleeing Burglary Suspects Cause Fatal Head-On Crash in Flagler County

Fleeing Burglary Suspects Cause Fatal Head-On Crash in Flagler County

FLAGLER COUNTY, Fla. — A pursuit involving burglary suspects ended in tragedy Tuesday after the suspects’ SUV collided head-on with another vehicle, killing an innocent motorist.

According to the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO), deputies were alerted early in the day that three individuals suspected of multiple vehicle burglaries in St. Johns County had entered Flagler County in a gray Chevrolet Suburban. Around 12:30 p.m., deputies observed the Suburban speeding south on Interstate 95.

The suspects exited onto Old Dixie Highway, where deputies attempted to use Stop Sticks. However, the SUV’s anti-deflation tires rendered the devices ineffective. The suspects continued driving recklessly, weaving through traffic, and later sideswiped an FCSO patrol vehicle before fleeing toward U.S. Highway 1.

At the intersection of I-95 and U.S. 1, the Suburban made a sharp turn onto the exit ramp and struck another vehicle head-on. The victim, the sole occupant of that vehicle, was airlifted to a nearby hospital in critical condition but later died from injuries sustained in the crash. Their identity is being withheld pending family notification.

Following the collision, the suspects fled into a wooded area but were quickly captured by deputies.

“This is a heartbreaking outcome caused entirely by criminals who showed no regard for human life,” said Sheriff Rick Staly. “An innocent person lost their life because of a crime spree that started in another county.”

The Florida Highway Patrol is leading the traffic homicide investigation, while burglary charges remain under the jurisdiction of St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office.