Flagler County Detective Cleared of Charges in Ormond Beach Incident

FLAGLER COUNTY, Fla. – A Flagler County Sheriff’s Office detective, previously accused of evading a law enforcement officer in Volusia County, has had charges against him dismissed.

The 7th Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office has decided to drop the charge of fleeing or attempting to elude a law enforcement officer against Detective Ardit Coma. This decision followed a thorough examination of evidence provided by the Ormond Beach Police Department.

The incident unfolded early Thursday on U.S. 1 in Ormond Beach.

According to officials from the Flagler Sheriff’s Office, Coma was behind the wheel of an unmarked agency vehicle, heading to work, when he was detected by a police officer traveling at 88 mph in a 55-mph zone.

The Ormond Beach police report states that despite the officer’s activation of lights and sirens, Coma did not initially stop. Instead, he maneuvered into another lane and accelerated past other vehicles.

In response, the officer notified colleagues nearby, who then deployed Stop Sticks. Coma reportedly avoided the Stop Sticks and eventually came to a halt in a nearby turn lane.

The report said Coma asked officers what was happening, and when told he was under arrest for fleeing and eluding, he laughed and said, “When did that happen?”

Coma also told police he didn’t realize the officer was behind him, trying to stop him, despite the emergency lights and sirens and other vehicles pulling over for the officer, the report states.

Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly released the following statement about the dismissed charges:

“As we said initially, we believe in the criminal justice system. The case was dismissed just like it would be for any citizen, based on the evidence and facts of the case presented to the State Attorney’s Office by the Ormond Beach Police Department. I personally reviewed the arrest report and was surprised that an arrest was made based on the lack of evidence showing he was intentionally trying to flee, while driving an agency vehicle. Although the criminal charge was dismissed, the facts appear clear that Detective Coma was speeding in an agency vehicle. I believe in accountability for everyone in our agency and transparency with our community, and our internal investigation will determine what policies were violated, and he will be held accountable. In fact, he will likely be held accountable to a higher standard than an average driver committing a traffic infraction.”

Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly

Coma was reassigned to administrative non-law enforcement duties while the internal investigation by the FCSO Professional Standards Unit is underway.

Coma joined the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office in June 2023 and serves in the Major Case Unit. He has received several commendations, including a Life Saving Award in 2024.