A 19-year-old Belleview man was arrested after allegedly leading Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputies on a high-speed chase that came to an end when his vehicle struck a tree, critically injuring his passenger.
On Tuesday, November 26, two Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputies were conducting speed enforcement near the intersection of SE 58th Avenue and Larch Road in Ocala when a Ford F-150 pickup truck was observed traveling southbound. One of the deputies noted in the arrest report that the truck was traveling approximately 70 miles per hour in a posted 45-mph zone.
When the deputies began pursuing the truck, the driver – later identified as Johnathan Leon Brooks – allegedly refused to stop and accelerated to speeds that were “significantly higher” than the speed limit, according to the report.
Brooks’ truck allegedly reached speeds exceeding 105 mph as he approached S U.S. Highway 441. The report stated that the truck then briefly slowed down before running a red light, turning left onto S U.S. Highway 441, and “rapidly accelerat(ing).”
Additional MCSO deputies joined the pursuit, and their patrol vehicles reached speeds of around 115 mph while pursuing Brooks. According to the report, the pursuit came to an end when the truck ran a stop sign at the intersection of SE 25th Avenue and SE 110th Street before crashing into a large tree.
The report stated that an adult female passenger in the truck was seriously injured in the crash, and she was rushed to HCA Florida Ocala Hospital in critical condition.
The driver, Brooks, was evaluated by medical staff, who determined that he did not suffer any head trauma and was “capable of answering questions.” After being read his Miranda rights, Brooks allegedly claimed that the truck’s brakes were “not working,” and he was “incapable of slowing down.”
Brooks allegedly further told investigators that the truck “accelerated on its own.” When asked how he was able to slow down while making turns at several intersections, Brooks reiterated that he “did not slow down,” according to the report.
During the post-Miranda interview, Brooks allegedly admitted to driving a little over 70 mph in a 45-mph zone, though he denied accelerating when law enforcement attempted to conduct a traffic stop.
Brooks was placed under arrest and transported to Marion County Jail. Two days later, he was released from the facility after posting a $15,000 bond. He is being charged with fleeing to elude a law enforcement officer resulting in serious injury.
On Tuesday, December 31, Brooks is scheduled to appear in court at 9 a.m., according to jail records.