An Ocklawaha man was arrested after deputies say he fled a traffic stop at speeds reaching 85 mph, ran three red lights and continued driving after an initial P.I.T. maneuver severely damaged his BMW.
Reginald Kenneth Jeffery III, 46, was charged with aggravated fleeing and eluding, trafficking 10 grams or more of phenethylamines, possession of ammunition by a convicted felon and driving with a suspended license as a habitual offender. He was also cited three times for failing to obey a traffic control device.
According to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office arrest affidavit, a deputy was patrolling near Marion Oaks Boulevard and Southwest Highway 484 shortly after noon Friday, Aug. 1, when he noticed Jeffery driving a red 2009 BMW X3 with a stack of loose aluminum scrap metal secured to the roof by what appeared to be a thin rope.
The deputy said the metal shifted as the BMW turned onto Highway 484, raising concerns that it could fall into traffic. A check of the vehicle’s tag reportedly showed that the registered owner had active warrants from Texas and Colorado.
When the deputy activated his emergency lights on Marion Oaks Course, Jeffery allegedly made a U-turn through the median and sped away. Investigators say he ran a red light and accelerated to approximately 85 mph in a posted 50-mph zone.
The deputy attempted a P.I.T. maneuver before the pursuit reached the Interstate 75 interchange. The maneuver initially stopped the BMW and caused extensive damage to its rear wheels, but Jeffery allegedly accelerated away as the deputy got out of his patrol vehicle.
According to the affidavit, the BMW’s rear tire was bent at an angle and no longer appeared safe to operate. Jeffery allegedly continued westbound at speeds reaching 85 mph, ran two more red lights and crossed congested intersections without slowing.
A final P.I.T. maneuver near Southwest 57th Avenue Road disabled the BMW and sent it into a field on the north side of Highway 484, where it damaged a fence.
Jeffery was taken to Ocala Regional Medical Center for treatment and examination.
During an inventory of the vehicle, deputies said they found a bottle of pills on the ground outside the open driver’s door alongside debit cards and identification bearing Jeffery’s name. The pills allegedly field-tested positive for MDMA and weighed 15 grams.
Deputies also reported finding a box containing 15 unfired .380-caliber rounds in the BMW’s center console. A records check showed Jeffery had two prior felony convictions, according to the affidavit.
Investigators said Jeffery’s driver’s license was revoked in March 2002 and had never been reinstated. He reportedly had three prior convictions for driving with a suspended or revoked license.
Jeffery was held without bond.
