Williston vehicle pursuit ends with arrest of Inverness woman

Levy County Sheriff's Office (LCSO)

On the evening of August 7, 2024, the Levy County Dispatch Center received a report of a driver operating a vehicle, not staying on the roadway. The concerned citizen continued following the driver, giving information to the dispatch operator.

Levy County Deputy Sam Quincey responded to the area and positioned his patrol vehicle so that he was driving behind the vehicle in question to establish the driving pattern.

A LCSO press release stated that it was obvious that the driver was either suffering from a medical condition or under the influence of a substance, as the driver - later identified as 64 year-old Rhonda Jewell Livesay of Inverness, Florida - was not staying within her lane of travel.

Deputy Quincey initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle, in the area of U.S. Highway 41 and SE 25th Street. Instead of stopping, the driver continued traveling north on U.S. Highway 41. According to the press release, several vehicles pulled off the road to avoid striking Livesay's vehicle, yet the driver still swerved toward several vehicles, almost striking them.

Numerous deputies responded to the area, with the intent of stopping the vehicle to prevent a serious crash. Deputy Stephen Williamson set up stop sticks (a tire deflation device) in the Cloverleaf area of Williston, Florida, after the driver failed to stop at a red light at the intersection of U.S. Highway 41 and State Road 121. The stop sticks deflated both front tires of Livesay's vehicle, yet she continued traveling north toward “The Top of the Hill” intersection. Due to the total disregard shown by Livesay as to the safety of others on the roadway, deputies used their vehicles to make contact with Livesay’s vehicle, forcing it to a stop, boxed-in by three patrol cars.

The driver of the vehicle was checked to make sure she had no medical issues, and when it was determined she had none, deputies began a criminal investigation in regard to Livesay's signs of impairment. She was placed under arrest, charged with driving under the influence (DUI), fleeing from and attempting to elude law enforcement personnel, reckless driving, possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, and possession of drug paraphernalia. She was booked into the Levy County Detention Bureau at 11:46 p.m. At her first appearance (in court), Livesay was issued a total bond of $150,000.

"These deputies put their lives at risk to ensure the safety of all," said LCSO Lieutenant Scott Tummond. "There were no injuries during this incident, and there was only minor damage to two patrol vehicles."