What started as a traffic stop in Summerfield ended with fences smashed, stop sticks dodged, and a Nissan Altima permanently retired.
On August 16, deputies with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office spotted Joshua Hyder, a wanted fugitive, driving along SE Highway 42. Hyder, who deputies say has a history of fleeing, didn’t disappoint. Instead of pulling over, he lit up his hazard lights, then hit the gas.
The chase stretched through winding county roads, with Hyder plowing through a fence, doubling back on Highway 42, and even brake-checking patrol cars. Deputies deployed stop sticks near a Family Dollar, but the Nissan kept rolling.
The pursuit ended only after Deputy Seeley’s patrol car collided with Hyder’s Altima, disabling it. Hyder took off on foot but was quickly tased and taken into custody. His passenger, Amanda Synrex, who also had active felony warrants, was arrested at the scene without incident.
A search of the car revealed a travel bag packed with needles, spoons, and baggies that tested positive for methamphetamine, according to deputies.
Hyder faces multiple charges including aggravated fleeing and eluding with property damage, felony driving with a revoked license, resisting an officer, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Records show his license has been revoked since 2014, with prior convictions for fleeing and driving while suspended.
He was taken to AdventHealth Ocala for evaluation before being booked into the Marion County Jail.
