An Ocala man’s attempt to outrun deputies ended exactly where the road did.
According to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, a deputy spotted a blue Toyota Celica traveling about 100 mph on Southeast 58th Avenue on July 2, weaving through moderate to heavy traffic in a posted 45 mph zone. The vehicle later continued around 80 mph in a 50 mph zone while weaving between other vehicles before a traffic stop was initiated.
Deputies reported the driver, identified as Jalen Kendrick Nasman, 24, instead accelerated and led law enforcement on a pursuit, at one point again reaching approximately 100 mph.
The chase came to an abrupt halt when the car reached a dead end on Southeast 64th Avenue Road, where investigators say it crashed into a cattle gate and a street sign belonging to Marion County’s Greenway Park. Authorities reported the vehicle was heavily damaged.
According to the arrest affidavit, Nasman jumped out and ran into nearby woods, but eventually circled back to the wrecked vehicle and tried to drive away again. Deputies physically removed him from the car after he continued resisting, and investigators said he was ultimately subdued with a Taser before being taken into custody.
Deputies reported smelling alcohol on Nasman’s breath and observing bloodshot, watery eyes and slurred speech. After agreeing to a breath test, he provided samples of 0.062 and 0.060. The report states Nasman told deputies he knew he should not have been driving and said alcohol affects medications he takes for mood disorders.
Investigators also reported finding a three-quarter-full alcoholic beverage and an empty vodka bottle inside the vehicle. Damage from the crash included a street sign, a heavy-duty cattle gate and a fence post.
Nasman faces charges including fleeing or attempting to elude law enforcement with lights and sirens activated, DUI with property damage, resisting an officer without violence, reckless driving and leaving the scene of a crash involving property damage.
