A Florida Highway Patrol trooper arrested an Ocala man Tuesday night after almost colliding with his swerving vehicle.
The trooper was traveling northbound on County Road 475A, just north of County Road 484, when a black Ford Focus traveling southbound suddenly swerved in front of him. The trooper reported that he was forced to take evasive action and swerve off the roadway onto the east shoulder to avoid a head-on collision.
The trooper made a U-turned and pursued the car, which was being driven by 38-year-old Tyler Chance Pope. The trooper reported that Pope was driving at a high rate of speed, passing multiple vehicles on a solid double yellow line and the grassy west should, the FHP report states.
Pope eventually pulled into a parking space at the Zaxby’s restaurant at 13451 SW 17th Ct. Due to erratic movements by Pope, the trooper reported that he drew his weapon and gave both occupants of the vehicle verbal commands to put their hands outside the windows while he waited for backup units to arrive.
Several other troopers arrived a short time later and they removed Pope and his girlfriend from the vehicle. Pope told troopers that his license was suspended and he had swerved into the oncoming lane of traffic because he and his girlfriend were arguing and he had dropped his phone. He said he was emotional and knew he shouldn’t be driving, so he drove “as fast as he could” to the Zaxby’s parking lot so they could switch places and his girlfriend could drive, the report says.
A check of Pope’s criminal background confirmed that his driver’s license was suspended and he was wanted on an outstanding warrant out of Marion County for failure to appear in court on a petit theft case, the report says.
Pope’s girlfriend said they were heading to a friend’s house when they started arguing. She said he became “extremely emotional” and said he was going to “end it all” before swerving in front of the trooper’s cruiser. She was then released from her handcuffs and allowed to take her vehicle, the report says.
Pope, who lives on SW 35th Avenue in Ocala, was transported to the Marion County Jail and charged with reckless driving (first offense), knowingly driving while license suspended, resisting an officer without violence and an outstanding warrant for petit theft. He is being held on $3,500 bond and is due in court on July 18 at 8 a.m. to answer to the charges.