Masked Teenager in Stolen Car Reaches 100 mph in I-4 Pursuit, Authorities Report

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – Early Monday morning, a high-speed chase involving a stolen vehicle concluded with a crash into a building and the arrest of a masked 16-year-old, as reported by the Florida Highway Patrol.

At approximately 12:03 a.m., the FHP issued a BOLO alert for a blue Hyundai sedan with Florida plates that had fled from the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office. The vehicle was seen traveling west on Interstate 4 near mile marker 96.

According to an incident report, the vehicle was being followed by units from the Lake Mary Police Department at the time of the BOLO, though they had not requested assistance.

A trooper stationed near mile marker 90 witnessed the vehicle pass by, followed by several law enforcement vehicles without activated emergency lights, at around 12:10 a.m. The trooper joined the chase, confirming that the vehicle’s license plate matched the alert.

The report states that a trooper activated emergency lights and sirens at 12:15 a.m. in an attempt to slow the vehicle, which was traveling at 70 mph in a 60 mph zone. The driver began evasive maneuvers by rapidly changing lanes and almost collided with the inside concrete wall.

Troopers executed a PIT maneuver, but the driver managed to regain control and started driving east in the westbound lanes of I-4 near mile marker 82 before making a U-turn across all lanes, continuing west in the westbound lanes at speeds approaching 100 mph in a 60 mph zone.

According to the report, the vehicle exited at mile marker 81 and turned onto West Michigan Street. As it approached Woods Street, troopers performed another PIT maneuver, causing the vehicle to crash into the front of a building at 1028 W. Michigan St.

The masked driver ran away from the crash before turning between two buildings. Troopers said they then attempted to shock the suspect with a Taser, but the probes did not make contact. However, troopers were still able to arrest the suspect as he tried to scale a fence.

The teen, who News 6 is not identifying because of his age, was taken back to the crash site, where his ski mask was removed.

Troopers said the boy faces charges of grand theft of motor vehicle, public order crimes – wearing hood or mask on street, and fleeing/eluding high speed/disregard for safety of person/property.

Also on Monday morning, 11 vehicles were involved in three unrelated separate wrecks in Volusia County.

[VIDEO: 11 vehicles involved in 3 crashes on I-4 in Volusia County]