Volusia County, FL — Deputies responding to a violent single-vehicle crash in Ormond Beach encountered a scene that quickly shifted from a standard stolen-car investigation to a startling and surreal encounter. A 36-year-old Florida man was found bloodied, dazed, and insisting he had “teleported” into a stolen BMW moments before the luxury vehicle slammed into a roadside area at what witnesses described as well over 100 mph.
Discovery After the Crash
Deputies arrived to find Calvin Curtis Johnson lying near the mangled BMW, struggling to process where he was and how he got there. Bodycam footage captured Johnson offering answers that made little sense, repeatedly telling deputies that he “didn’t know how” he wound up behind the wheel.
“I don’t know how I got in the car. I teleported or something,” he said when questioned. When deputies pressed him again, Johnson repeated the same unusual explanation, insisting he had somehow appeared inside the vehicle without any recollection of entering it.
Paramedics and deputies had to work together after bystanders reported seeing the BMW reach an estimated 130 mph before losing control. The crash required first responders to cut Johnson from the wreckage.
Moments Leading Up to the Theft
Investigators learned that the BMW had been stolen from Bicentennial Park, where its owner had briefly left the vehicle while walking his dog. The keys, which had been placed in a closed cupholder, were still inside the car.
A witness at the park described an encounter with a confused man who appeared disoriented even before the theft.
“He kept asking for a light,” the witness recalled. “I thought, how does he have a BMW if he doesn’t even have a lighter for a cigarette?”
Just minutes later, the vehicle was speeding out of the area.
Strange Claims at the Scene
Johnson continued making bizarre statements after deputies handcuffed him to a patrol SUV. As he was secured, he blurted out, “You saved me from the aliens!” — yet another unexplained element in what deputies initially believed was a simple vehicle theft and crash.
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Authorities said the driver’s erratic behavior, confusion, and improbable claims will be documented as part of the case file but did not speculate on the cause of his mental state.
Charges and Ongoing Investigation
Johnson was transported to a hospital for treatment and will be booked into the Volusia County Branch Jail upon his release. He faces charges of grand theft of a motor vehicle and driving with a suspended license.
Deputies also took the opportunity to issue a reminder to residents and park visitors: always secure vehicles and remove keys when stepping away, even briefly, to prevent similar incidents.
Community and Safety Notes
Residents who frequent Bicentennial Park told deputies they were shocked by the unusual explanation but not surprised that an unlocked, unattended car became a target. Authorities emphasized that theft prevention continues to be one of the simplest ways the community can reduce crimes of opportunity.
What do you think about the suspect’s bizarre claims and the rise in vehicle thefts tied to unsecured cars? Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.
