UPDATE: High speed pursuit on US 19, from Crystal River to Chiefland, results in crash and death of suspect

Levy County Sheriff's Office (LCSO) August 27, 2024

Levy County, Florida - During the evening of Monday, August 26, 2024, the Levy County Sheriff’s Office received a request for assistance from the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) when the agency located the suspect of a carjacking incident that occurred in Pasco County, Florida.

FHP troopers attempted to conduct a traffic stop of the suspect driving the carjacked vehicle - who had aparently driven through Pasco County and Hernando County, Florida and into Citrus County, Florida, where he was spotted as he drove through Crystal River. However, the suspect fled from troopers, traveling north on U.S. Highway 19 into Levy County, Florida, where Levy County Sheriff's Office (LCSO) deputies joined FHP troopers in the pursuit as the suspect exited Citrus County and entered Levy County.

Levy County deputies deployed Stop Sticks (a device with spikes, that's designed to puncture tires) at two locations within Levy County, one location north of Inglis, Florida in the Lebanon Station community, and again in Otter Creek, Florida. The suspect managed to avoid the vehicle's tires being flattened at both Stop Sticks locations, while he was still being pursued by FHP troopers and LCSO deputies.

The suspect - later identified as a 39 year old Hispanic male whose name has not yet been released - shot at law enforcement personnel multiple times during his pursuit, which reached speeds up to 120 mph and ended near County Road 347 on U.S. Highway 19, when the driver crashed the vehicle approximately 5 miles south of the City of Chiefland, Florida. He did not survive the crash.

Due to the exchange of gunfire between the deceased suspect and law enforcement personnel, the Florida Highway Patrol and the Levy County Sheriff's Office requested the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to assist them in this investigation

“We are extremely thankful that this violent criminal was stopped and there were no injuries to any of the troopers, our LCSO deputies, or members of our public," said Levy County Sheriff Bobby McCallum. "This was a very dangerous situation, complicated by high speeds, the exchange of gunfire, and the suspect’s total disregard for anyone’s safety, including his own. We pray this type of criminal activity will never affect our community, but yesterday it did, and our professionals were able to stop this criminal before any innocent person was harmed.”

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High speed pursuit on US 19, results in crash and fatality near Chiefland

Levy County Sheriff's Office

On Monday evening, August 26, 2024, the Levy County Sheriff’s Office and the Florida Highway Patrol were involved in a high speed pursuit that ended with a crash and a fatality.

North and south bound lanes of U.S. Highway 19 were closed, from County Road 347 south of Chiefland, Florida, to State Road 24 at Otter Creek, Florida due to the crash and an investigation.

According to the Levy County Sheriff's Office, no law enforcement officers were injured, and updates will be posted when they become available.