A man in Tallahassee, Florida, is facing almost 20 charges after he allegedly led police on a high-speed chase. As per the authorities, the man crashed into eight different vehicles in a car with a stolen license plate, which was, in turn, potentially linked to a stabbing.
According to a press release issued by Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), the incident occurred on Thursday, June 18. At the time, the Florida Highway Patrol was alerted about a driver, later identified as 36-year-old Zacary Read, who was sitting behind a Toyota sedan’s wheel.
A FHP report cited by the Tallahassee Democrat detailed that Read’s vehicle had a stolen license plate installed. Allegedly, the license plate was possibly linked to a stabbing that had occurred on June 17, the day prior.
Therefore, the Leon County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) requested the FHP’s assistance. As a result, an hour-long pursuit followed.
High-Speed Pursuit
The FHP trooper began following Read through Timberland Road. However, when they reached Thomasville Road, the traffic made the pursuit impossible due to safety concerns.
Therefore, the pursuit was momentarily discontinued. Read, however, was still monitored by an LCSO helicopter, which provided updates on his location so the trooper could catch up to him later.
Allegedly, the Toyota reached speeds exceeding 100 mph, passing several cars between Kerry Forest Parkway and Bannerman Road. Things would then get even more dangerous.
Eight Vehicles Struck
According to the report, Read caused many vehicles to swerve onto the road’s shoulder after he began driving the wrong way on multiple roads. The trooper followed him closely through many busy roads in Tallahassee.
At one point, upon reaching Springhill Road, Read allegedly drove through a construction zone and multiple barricades. Thankfully, no construction workers were hurt, and no heavy equipment was present at the scene at the time.
It was during this high-speed chase that Read allegedly collided with up to eight different vehicles while fleeing from the authorities. Still, he managed to elude agents near Orange Avenue.
Second Pursuit, Arrest
Days later, on Monday, June 22, FHP troopers observed Read traveling north on State Road 61, the FLHSMV release said. A traffic stop was attempted, but the suspect allegedly fled at a high rate of speed.
“Throughout the incident, the subject operated with willful and wanton disregard for public safety, intentionally driving against the normal flow of traffic and accelerating to speeds exceeding 90 miles per hour in a posted 45 MPH zone,” the release added.
Eventually, a trooper performed a PIT maneuver near Bragg Drive. This didn’t stop Read, who allegedly kept driving and even intentionally struck a patrol vehicle. Then, the pursuit ended when Read collided head-on with a tree, but the 36-year-old man still attempted to resist arrest, unsuccessfully, police said.
Zachary Read is charged with aggravated fleeing and eluding, battery on a law enforcement officer, fleeing and eluding after a crash with damage, driving while license suspended or revoked, resisting arrest without violence, possession of marijuana under 20g, possession of drug paraphernalia, eight counts of hit-and-run/leaving the scene of a crash involving damage, and fleeing or eluding at high speed. Online records show that Read served three years in prison after being convicted of a 2022 carjacking and subsequent fleeing from police.