111 MPH Stolen Car Chase Ended with 4 Teen Deaths in Florida, Car Struck Pole after PIT Maneuver
Waldo, FL: A tragedy struck in Waldo, Fla., as four young lives were lost in a devastating collision with a pole on Saturday, April 20.
During the incident, a group of teenagers, aged 14 to 17, were engaged in a high-speed pursuit with Florida State Troopers. Following the arrival of authorities, two of the boys were identified as Jabril Chevers and Lawrence McClendon Jr. Both individuals were transported to UF Health Shands in Gainesville, Fla., unfortunately succumbing to their injuries.
Two more individuals tragically lost their lives at the scene.
Donations are being collected through GoFundMe pages to support the families of McLendon and Chevers with their funeral costs.
The description on Chevers’ GoFundMe page described Jabril as a caring son, brother, and friend, known for his kind heart and uplifting spirit.
McLendon played as a sophomore defensive back for his high school football team. According to Ed Johnson, the head football coach of Newberry, Lawrence was a fantastic addition to our program and a pleasure to be around, as reported by Main Street Daily News. He possessed a fierce drive, exceptional skill, and an unwavering determination to make game-changing plays on the football field. His absence will be deeply felt by all members of the Panther football community.
According to McClendon’s GoFundMe, his older brother, Jermaine Godbolt, tragically lost his life last month due to a fatal shooting.
According to Chief Deputy Col. Brad Smith of the Bradford County Sheriff’s Office, the incident occurred when the Gainesville Police Department alerted them about a stolen Honda CRV traveling eastbound on State Road 100.
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Soon after, the Bradford patrol unit spotted the vehicle and initiated pursuit, resulting in a thrilling car chase.
According to Smith, the stolen vehicle initially pulled over on the shoulder of the road, but quickly accelerated again before coming to a complete stop, leading to a high-speed chase.
However, the Bradford County deputies were forced to terminate their pursuit as they were unable to match the speed of the vehicle, which occurred near the county line. “Our vehicles were unable to keep up with the speed they were going, but we had one of our units continue as a backup to the Florida Highway Patrol until Alachua County’s units could catch up,” Smith explained. According to a report by Main Street Daily News, the vehicles of Bradford County deputies reached a maximum speed of 111 mph.
According to a press release from the Florida Highway Patrol, a state trooper in Florida managed to keep pace with a vehicle and noticed that some of the individuals inside were wearing ski masks.
The Trooper deliberately made contact with the Honda, resulting in its deceleration,” according to the FHP release. The Trooper swiftly utilized a break in speed to execute a Precision Immobilization Technique (PIT maneuver) on the fleeing Honda, effectively neutralizing the threat posed by the suspect. The Honda then flipped over and collided with a cement pole.
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The Alachua County Fire Rescue arrived at the scene and observed the Honda tightly entangled with a concrete utility pole. The four victims were removed by the first responders after an hour and a half.
An ongoing criminal investigation is being conducted into the accident, according to the FHP.
Following the tragic incident, Principal James Sheppard of Newberry High School conveyed a heartfelt message to the students and parents. On April 23, he expressed his deep sorrow, stating, “I regret to inform you that the two Newberry High School students involved in the severe car accident over the weekend have succumbed to their injuries.”
In addition, grief counselors and trauma specialists were present at the school throughout the entire week.
