A teenage driver turned Southeast 58th Avenue into his personal racetrack late Tuesday night, but his high-speed antics ended abruptly against a tree.
At around 11:00 p.m. on November 26, Marion County deputies clocked a vehicle at 71 MPH in a 45 MPH zone near Southeast 58th Avenue and Larch Road. Deputies Wyman and Kennedy attempted a traffic stop, but the driver—later identified as 19-year-old Johnathan Brooks—decided to take his chances with the gas pedal instead of the brakes.
Brooks’ ill-advised dash reached speeds over 100 MPH as he zig-zagged through South Highway 441. Deputy Jentsch joined the pursuit, but Brooks’ lead foot only got heavier, pushing speeds to a blistering 115 MPH. His race ended when he failed to stop at an intersection, crossed over Southeast 110th Street, and collided with a large tree. The vehicle was totaled, and so were Brooks’ getaway plans.
Marion County Fire Rescue extricated Brooks and his passenger from the wreckage, and both were transported to a local hospital for treatment of injuries. While Brooks was discharged with a hospital bracelet, he soon received a more permanent accessory: handcuffs.
Brooks faces charges of Fleeing to Elude a Law Enforcement Officer with Disregard for Safety Causing Serious Injury. It seems this teen’s need for speed just hit a legal speed bump.
