Cocoa, FL – A man was arrested this week following a deadly crash that killed three passengers during a high-speed police chase on Interstate 95, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

The suspect, identified as 41-year-old Vernon Hodges of Sebastian, was fleeing from troopers when he crashed his Mercedes into two parked tow trucks on the shoulder of the I-95 exit ramp to King Street near Cocoa on March 28.

Inside the vehicle were three passengers—two women and one man—who were all pronounced dead at the scene. They were identified as Alicia Marie Carter, 31, of Melbourne; Eleasya Janee Fulton, 24, of Palm Bay; and Leon Holmes, 41, of Vero Beach.

According to an affidavit released Thursday, Hodges was initially spotted driving at around 100 mph. Troopers said the Mercedes had a license plate registered to a different vehicle—a green pickup truck—which prompted law enforcement to pursue the car.

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Sgt. Hildreth, who initiated the pursuit, said the car had heavily tinted windows, and the driver was seen making an obscene gesture and motioning forward before accelerating to 110 mph. Moments later, the vehicle exited at Exit 201 and crashed into the tow trucks.

At the time of the crash, a 39-year-old Palm Bay man was beneath one of the trucks, preparing to hook it to the other. He sustained serious injuries but survived, troopers said.

Investigators found an empty beer bottle in the car, and medical staff later reported smelling alcohol on Hodges during treatment. Authorities also discovered that Hodges had a revoked license at the time of the crash, with two prior DUI convictions and five previous convictions for driving with a suspended license.

Hodges was discharged from the hospital on March 31 and taken into custody. He now faces a lengthy list of charges, including:

• Capital felony murder (3 counts)
• Vehicular homicide (3 counts)
• DUI causing death and serious injury
• Aggravated fleeing at high speed resulting in death
• Reckless driving causing bodily harm

Driving without a valid license resulting in death or serious bodily injury (4 counts)

Hodges is currently being held without bond as the investigation continues.

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