- December 4, 2025
A motorist was killed on Sept. 16 when burglary suspects fleeing Flagler County Sheriff's Office deputies crashed head-on with the another car.
The suspects crashed their Chevrolet Suburban into the victim's car as the Suburban turned onto the Interstate-95 exit ramp to attempt to escape FCSO patrol vehicles, according to a FCSO press release. The victim was the only occupant in the second car and was airlifted to a nearby hospital in critical condition.
The victim later died at the hospital. The identity of the driver is being withheld until the next of kin is notified, the press release said.
“It is with great sadness, the actions of these dirtbags resulted in the tragic loss of an innocent life,” said Sheriff Rick Staly. "Our heartfelt condolences go out to the victim’s loved ones.”
The three burglary suspects were wanted out of St. Johns County and were spotted entering Flagler County in a gray Chevrolet Suburban earlier in the day on Sept. 16. At 12:30 p.m., FCSO deputies spotted the Suburban on Old Dixie Highway and attempted to use Stop Sticks on the it. The Stop Sticks did not work, the press release said, because the vehicle had anti-deflating tires.
The suspects then fled in the Suburban southbound on Highway U.S. 1 toward I-95, FCSO deputies following to stop it. The Suburban wove in and out of traffic, even sideswiping a FCSO car, until it eventually tried to enter the I-95 exit ramp.
The three suspects fled the crash on foot but were quickly caught by some FCSO deputies while others attempted to render first aid to the victim, the press release said.
The Florida Highway Patrol is conducting a traffic homicide investigation, the press release said, while the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office is the lead agency for the vehicle burglaries. Staly said the FCSO will do everything in its power to ensure the suspects are prosecuted "to the fullest extent of the law."
“This crime spree started in St. Johns County with vehicle burglaries and ended violently with the death of an innocent person," he said. "This death is the direct result of the poor decisions made by these criminals who had no regard for the life of those around them."
