A man who led deputies on a brief high-speed car pursuit in the Everglades was arrested Wednesday.
Dwight Lee Brown, 18, 1165 Ruiz Lane, Chokoloskee, was charged with fleeing and eluding, resisting arrest, reckless driving, and driving on a suspended license.
Reports say that around 5:45 p.m. Brown was behind the wheel of a white Mercedes that was traveling 105 mph southbound on State Road 29, where the posted speed is 60 mph. A deputy in a patrol car traveling west on SR 29 made a U-turn to go after the Mercedes, which then sped up to 140 mph.
The deputy followed the Mercedes as it passed other vehicles in an unsafe manner. The deputy closed in on the Mercedes around Janes Scenic Drive, turning on the patrol car’s emergency lights in preparation of stopping the Mercedes. The Mercedes left the roadway and slid into a ditch.
Brown jumped out of the car and ran into nearby woods. The Mercedes then started on fire.
Deputies, along with a K-9 unit, searched the area on the ground and by air for several hours. A K-9 unit dog found Brown hiding near U.S. 41 East around 10:30 p.m.
Deputies, along with a K-9 unit, searched the area on the ground and by air for several hours. A K-9 unit dog found Brown hiding near U.S. 41 East around 10:30 p.m.
The Mercedes, which Brown did not own, was estimated at a total loss.
