Flagler Sheriff Reports Fatal I-95 Car Chase Involving Escaping Burglary Suspects

FLAGLER COUNTY, Fla. – Three suspects fleeing from a burglary were identified as responsible for a deadly head-on collision near Interstate 95 on Tuesday afternoon, as reported by the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office.

According to a release, deputies were informed of the suspects early Tuesday morning and found that they were wanted in St. Johns County.

Around 12:30 p.m., deputies then spotted the suspect vehicle speeding south on I-95, sparking a chase with law enforcement, investigators noted.

“The suspect vehicle then fled southbound on U.S. Highway 1 toward I-95…” the release details. “In an attempt to evade law enforcement, the suspect vehicle wove through traffic and, at one point, sideswiped an FCSO vehicle, continuing to drive recklessly well ahead of law enforcement.”

The vehicle then reached the intersection of US-1 and I-95, turned left, and got on the I-95 exit ramp, subsequently hitting another car head-on, according to the release.

Investigators said that the suspects fled on foot toward the wood line, though they were quickly caught by law enforcement.

The driver of the other vehicle — a 71-year-old woman from Ormond Beach — was airlifted to the hospital in critical condition but later succumbed to her injuries, as reported by troopers.

Troopers later revealed the identity of one of the suspects as 40-year-old Stevens Charles of Miami, who faces the following charges:

• Resisting an officer with violence

• Obstructing an officer without violence

• Fleeing/eluding from law enforcement without regard for the safety of people or property

• Reckless driving, resulting in serious bodily injury

• Leaving the scene of a crash with serious bodily injury

• Aggravated fleeing/eluding with serious injury or death

• Aggravated fleeing/eluding with serious injury or death

• Leaving the scene of a fatal crash

• Murder

“The actions of these criminals led to the tragic loss of an innocent life,” Sheriff Rick Staly commented. “This crime spree began with vehicle burglaries in St. Johns County and ended in violence with the loss of an innocent person’s life. This death directly resulted from the poor decisions made by these criminals, showing no regard for the lives around them.”

News 6 has reached out to law enforcement about information on the remaining suspects and is awaiting a response.