A 25-year-old Ocala man, accused of leading Marion County deputies on a high-speed pursuit that ended in a crash, allegedly told law enforcement that “voices” instructed him to flee.
According to a Marion County Sheriff’s Office arrest report, a deputy observed a blue Toyota Celica that was traveling southbound on SE 58th Avenue in Ocala at speeds of around 100 miles per hour, which is more than twice the posted speed limit.
The report further mentioned that the Toyota was recklessly weaving through “moderate to heavy traffic” at the time of the incident.
The deputy attempted to initiate a traffic stop as the Toyota turned northbound onto SE 64th Avenue Road. However, the driver – later identified as Jalen Kendrick Nasman – allegedly swerved into the oncoming lane, passed three vehicles, and accelerated in an attempt to evade capture, according to the report.
The vehicle pursuit ended when Nasman’s Toyota reportedly reached a dead end before crashing into a street sign and a heavy-duty cattle gate at a local park. According to the report, Nasman allegedly abandoned his severely damaged car and fled on foot into the nearby woods.
After the pursuing deputy briefly lost sight of him, Nasman reportedly returned to his wrecked Toyota and entered the vehicle. Several deputies were on scene, and one of them allegedly tasered Nasman to gain his compliance while pulling him from the vehicle.
An MCSO corporal noted in the report that Nasman’s eyes were “bloodshot [and] watery,” his speech was “slurred,” and his breath had “a strong odor of an intoxicating beverage.” During field sobriety exercises, Nasman allegedly lost his balance and stopped the test early, telling deputies he was “going to jail anyway.”
Nasman later provided breath samples, which reportedly revealed a blood alcohol content of 0.062 and 0.060. A subsequent search of his vehicle allegedly yielded an open Straw-Ber-Rita and an empty bottle of Svedka vodka.
When questioned about his decision to flee, Nasman allegedly told deputies that he “becomes paranoid and begins to hear voices” when he consumes alcoholic beverages, adding that the “voices told him to run,” according to the report.
In addition, Nasman reportedly informed deputies that he takes medication for mood disorders, and alcohol affects him negatively while on the medication.
Nasman was placed under arrest and booked into Marion County Jail, where he remains in custody without bond. He is being charged with fleeing to elude a law enforcement officer with lights and sirens active, DUI with property damage, resisting an officer without violence, reckless driving, and leaving the scene of a crash involving property damage.
Jail records show that Nasman is scheduled to appear in a Marion County courtroom at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, August 4.