OKEECHOBEE — A 25-year-old Okeechobee man reportedly led deputies on a high speed chase last week. On Thursday, March 11 at about 3:15 p.m., Okeechobee county Sheriff’s Deputy William Jolly was dispatched to the 30800 block of U.S. 441 North in reference to a red Camaro speeding recklessly in and out of traffic. As Jolly approached the 21000 block, he observed a red Camaro heading southbound at a high rate of speed. Jolly’s radar clocked the car at 102mph in a 60mph zone.
Jolly activated his lights and siren and attempted to pull the car over, pursuing him for about 5 miles at speeds in excess of 100mph. The Camaro continued to weave in and out of traffic. When the Camaro turned left onto Northeast 144th Street, Jolly was advised to stop pursuing but to continue in that direction to be sure the car made it through the curves.
Several other units were traveling northbound in an attempt to locate the Camaro, and Deputy Robert Murtagh spotted the vehicle near the 8000 block of Northeast 128th Avenue. This time, when the deputy initiated a traffic stop, the car pulled over.
The driver was identified as Jerome Johnson, Northwest 18th Avenue. He was charged with fleeing without regard to public safety. His bond was set at $10,000.
