An 18-year-old man was arrested after he fled from a Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputy who caught him speeding on SE Maricamp Road in Ocala.
On Tuesday, September 26, the MCSO deputy was conducting a traffic stop at the intersection of SE Maricamp Road and Water Road when a black motorcycle drove past the deputy at a high rate of speed. The motorcycle then headed eastbound on SE Maricamp Road toward the intersection of Oak Road, according to the arrest report.
The deputy completed the traffic stop and then attempted to catch up to the motorcyclist who was later identified as Evan Ryan Pritchard Meekin.
While approaching the motorcycle, the deputy observed Meekin run the red light at the intersection of SE Maricamp Road and Oak Road. Meekin then made a U-turn, drove past the deputy, and headed westbound on SE Maricamp Road at a high rate of speed, according to the report.
The deputy caught up to the motorcycle at the intersection of SE Maricamp Road and Bahia Avenue. After the patrol car’s emergency lights were activated in an attempt to conduct a traffic stop, the report states that Meekin refused to stop and instead turned onto Bahia Road.
A pursuit was initiated, and the deputy activated the patrol car’s siren. The deputy noted in the report that Meekin “committed multiple traffic violations by running stop signs at a high rate of speed,” and the pursuit was terminated when Meekin entered a residential area.
According to the report, the deputy was on the lookout for Meekin when he was spotted driving towards Midway Road. When the deputy approached a nearby intersection, Meekin was observed standing close to the motorcycle, and he was taken into custody without further incident.
After being read his Miranda rights, Meekin admitted to fleeing from the deputy because he was “scared and did not want to get in trouble.” The report stated that Meekin was identified by his Florida driver’s license, but he did not have a motorcycle endorsement.
Meekin was arrested, transported to Marion County Jail, and he was released the same day on $2,500 bond. He is facing a felony charge for fleeing to elude a law enforcement officer and a misdemeanor charge for operating a motorcycle without a license.
A court date has not been scheduled yet, according to jail records.