Inset photos, from top: Stevens Charles (Volusia County Jail) and Julia Wagner (Facebook). Background: Florida police investigate a deadly accident in Volusia County (WESH).
A Miami resident has been charged by a Florida grand jury for allegedly causing the death of a 71-year-old woman while fleeing police in the wrong direction on a highway.
Stevens Charles, 40, is charged with first-degree murder for the death of Julia Wagner, which happened last month in Volusia County. According to a probable cause affidavit, on the afternoon of September 16, police attempted to stop Charles, who was a suspect in multiple burglaries in nearby Flagler County, driving a Chevrolet Suburban. Charles allegedly sped away, entering southbound Interstate 95.
Officers pursued the Suburban as it “drove recklessly at high speed through heavy traffic, disregarding both public safety and law enforcement efforts to stop him,” the affidavit stated. Charles exited the highway and re-entered it by going the wrong direction on a northbound exit ramp.
The suspect reportedly collided head-on with Wagner’s Volkswagen Beetle. Charles and two passengers escaped from the SUV but were apprehended later, according to police. Wagner was taken to the hospital by paramedics, where she succumbed to her injuries.
Prosecutor R.J. Larizza told reporters Wagner was on her way home from her volunteer shift at a local hospital.
“Picture this: You’re coming off the interstate, getting ready to head home, and suddenly, this Suburban appears going the wrong way up that exit ramp,” Larizza said. “She didn’t stand a chance, God bless her.”
Larizza said it was “horrific to see the photographs of what the Suburban did to that little Volkswagen Beetle.” He lamented that Charles could have simply stopped instead of leading cops on a chase.
“He wouldn’t be facing first-degree felony murder charges now and looking at life in prison,” the prosecutor stated.
Charles also is facing a slew of charges including aggravating fleeing and eluding law enforcement with serious injury or death, leaving the scene of a crash with death and resisting arrest. He remains in the Volusia County Jail without bond.
His next court date is scheduled for Oct. 14.
According to her obituary, Wagner was married for over three decades years and worked in human resources for some 40 years before retiring. She then started volunteering at a hospital.
“Julia was known for her booming laugh, her love of travel and entertaining, and her unwavering commitment to those she cared about,” the obituary reads. “Her Catholic faith was the foundation of her life, and she lived it with joy, generosity and grace.”
