A 1997 Honda Civic wasn’t going particularly fast, but according to Florida police, its passenger was furious. What began as an argument following a trip to the movies turned into a kerfuffle inside the moving car, leaving the driver with injuries and damage to his vehicle.
New Smyrna Beach police say 18-year-old Abigail Grace Carey repeatedly punched and slapped her boyfriend during an October 7, 2026, argument. She is also accused of damaging the Civic’s interior, interfering with the steering wheel, and preventing her boyfriend from completing a call to 911.
The couple had been dating for approximately five months. They had just finished watching a movie when the boyfriend mentioned plans to meet another male friend. Carey reportedly became upset, and the dispute escalated as they drove home.
The boyfriend later reported the incident to police, who investigated the allegations and obtained a felony arrest warrant. Carey was taken into custody on October 31, more than three weeks after the incident.
Argument Escalates Inside the Honda Civic
According to the arrest affidavit, the couple left a movie theater in New Smyrna Beach at approximately 10 p.m. and got into the boyfriend’s 1997 Honda Civic to head home.
During the drive, Carey allegedly began screaming, pulling her boyfriend’s hair, and punching him in the head and face. She also slapped the dashboard and damaged parts of the passenger-side interior.
The dispute extended to the vehicle itself. Investigators documented damage to the dashboard, passenger-side door handle, and steering-wheel cover. The boyfriend estimated repairs would cost between $200 and $1,000.
At one point, Carey allegedly interfered with the steering wheel and threatened to kill them both before the driver could turn it.
The boyfriend took out his phone and began recording the altercation. He reported that Carey continued screaming and striking him while he drove.
When he attempted to call 911, Carey allegedly grabbed the phone from his hand and hung up, preventing him from completing the emergency call.
He recovered his phone approximately a minute later but decided against calling 911 again after dropping Carey off at her residence. He told investigators he felt bad about the situation.
Police Obtain Arrest Warrant Weeks Later
The boyfriend subsequently provided police with a sworn statement, three recordings of the incident, and photographs showing damage to the Honda Civic.
Investigators collected the material as evidence and pursued criminal charges against Carey.
On October 30, Judge Blackburn issued a felony arrest warrant in connection with the incident. Police located Carey the following evening and arrested her without incident.
Carey, 18, was booked into the Volusia County Branch Jail on October 31. She faces three charges: battery, criminal mischief involving damage between $200 and $1,000, and tampering with a witness by preventing communication with law enforcement.
Jail records list a $2,500 bond for each charge, totaling $7,500.
All parties are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
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