A driver and passenger were arrested over the weekend after their car ended up in a ditch following a high-speed chase in Marion County.
On Saturday, July 27, a Marion County Sheriff’s Office corporal was near the 1400 block of NE 58th Avenue in Ocala when a Ford Taurus was observed traveling more than 30 miles per hour over the posted speed limit, according to the arrest report.
After conducting a U-turn, the corporal followed the Ford and attempted to conduct a traffic stop. The corporal noted in the report that the Ford veered onto the grassy median and passed other vehicles before eventually coming to a stop in the 5200 block of NE 24th Street.
As the corporal began approaching the driver’s side of the Ford, the driver – later identified as Kevin Dale Sharkey, 30, of Belleview – appeared to be “under the influence of narcotics.” He then allegedly ignored the corporal’s orders and fled from the traffic stop, according to the report.
The corporal continued pursuing the Ford as it traveled northwest on 24th Street before turning westbound on Highway 40. The report stated that Kevin Sharkey then allegedly ran a stop sign and multiple red lights while fleeing from the corporal.
When traffic in the area cleared, the corporal unsuccessfully attempted to conduct a precision immobilization technique (PIT) maneuver on the Ford. Additionally, multiple attempts to deploy stop sticks on the roadway were unsuccessful, according to the report.
The pursuit ended when Kevin Sharkey lost control of the Ford while turning onto Highway 441 from Highway 326. The Ford became stuck in a ditch, and its two occupants – Kevin Sharkey and a female passenger identified as 33-year-old Shonda Marie Sharkey, 33, of Silver Springs – were detained in handcuffs.
After being read his Miranda rights, Kevin Sharkey stated that he “blacked out” while fleeing from the corporal. According to the report, his driver’s license was also suspended.
The interior of the Ford was searched, and a white bag was found wedged between the back seat and center console. The report stated that the following items were found in the bag: burnt tin foil that field-tested positive for fentanyl; a clear plastic bag filled with crystalized shards that field-tested positive for methamphetamine; two plastic bags filled with a white powdery residue that field-tested positive for methamphetamine; a plastic bag containing a pill that field-tested positive for diazepam; a burnt metal straw; a plastic bag filled with a brown powdery substance that field-tested positive for fentanyl; and two sealed packets of Suboxone.
During a post-Miranda interview, Shonda Sharkey admitted that the drugs and related paraphernalia found in the Ford belonged to her.
Kevin Sharkey and Shonda Sharkey were both arrested and transported to Marion County Jail, where they are currently being held on bond.
Jail records show that Kevin Sharkey is being charged with fleeing to elude a law enforcement officer and driving with a suspended license (subsequent offense). Shonda Sharkey is facing the following charges: possession of fentanyl, possession of a controlled substance without a prescription (two counts), and possession of drug paraphernalia.
In addition, Kevin Sharkey and Shonda Sharkey were both on probation at the time of their arrests. They are both scheduled to appear in court at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, August 27.