Flagler County, FL – A dangerous high-speed pursuit through Flagler County, Florida, ended with the arrest of a 22-year-old Bunnell man after deputies say he fled traffic enforcement, drove recklessly through busy roadways, and abandoned his vehicle in an attempt to avoid arrest.
The incident, confirmed by the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office, unfolded on Wednesday and resulted in multiple felony charges.
Traffic Stop Escalates Into High-Speed Pursuit
According to the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office, the incident began when a deputy was conducting routine traffic enforcement on Old Dixie Highway. The deputy observed a gray Volkswagen traveling at 59 mph in a 35 mph zone, prompting an attempted traffic stop.
Instead of pulling over, the driver—later identified as Byrone Lord, 22, of Bunnell, Florida—allegedly accelerated into oncoming traffic and fled the scene. Deputies say Lord then sped onto U.S. 1, creating an extremely dangerous situation for other motorists.
Reckless Driving Through Intersections and Traffic Circles
As the pursuit continued, deputies reported that Lord drove over a curb at a traffic circle and ran a red light at Seminole Woods Boulevard. His reckless actions forced the pursuing deputy to temporarily lose sight of the vehicle, raising concerns about public safety.
Additional deputies joined the search, expanding the effort to locate the suspect. The Volkswagen was later spotted again speeding and weaving through traffic near Commerce Parkway, further escalating the situation.
Vehicle Found Abandoned After Suspects Flee on Foot
The chase eventually led deputies to Drain Street, where they later discovered the abandoned vehicle near South Anderson Street and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue. A witness at the scene reported seeing two individuals flee on foot toward nearby wooded areas.
Deputies quickly established a perimeter and began searching the area. Shortly afterward, law enforcement located Byrone Lord and a 17-year-old juvenile walking along the roadway. Both were detained without incident, officials said.
Driver Admits to Fleeing to Avoid Arrest
During questioning, deputies said Lord admitted that he fled because he knew he would be arrested for driving without a valid license and having marijuana in the vehicle. He also told deputies that the juvenile passenger was yelling at him to stop and slow down during the chase.
The juvenile was not reported to have encouraged the reckless driving, and authorities did not indicate that the teen faces the same charges as Lord.
Drugs, Cash, and Evidence Recovered
A search conducted by deputies revealed several illegal items connected to the case. Authorities reported finding a small nugget of marijuana, three small plastic bags, and $335 in cash inside Lord’s jacket pocket.
Deputies also recovered more than 21 grams of marijuana from inside the abandoned vehicle. In addition, a purse discarded in the woods—allegedly thrown away by Lord—was found to contain another 12 grams of marijuana, further strengthening the evidence against him.
Sheriff Condemns Reckless Behavior
Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly strongly criticized Lord’s actions, emphasizing the danger posed to innocent drivers.
“This guy’s driving and decision to recklessly flee impressed neither his passenger nor our deputies and endangered many drivers,” Sheriff Rick Staly said. “No matter how recklessly you drive your Volkswagen to get away, you’re not going to out-run our deputies. He was worried that he would go to jail for driving without a license and having weed in his car, which he is—but now he’s also going to jail on multiple felonies.”
Multiple Felony Charges Filed
As a result of the incident, Byrone Lord was arrested and charged with several serious offenses, including:
- Fleeing or attempting to elude law enforcement with lights and sirens active
- Possession of marijuana over 20 grams
- Tampering with evidence
- Knowingly driving while license suspended
- Resisting an officer without violence
Authorities did not release information regarding Lord’s bond status or upcoming court dates at the time of the report.
Ongoing Emphasis on Road Safety
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office reiterated its commitment to traffic safety and warned that reckless driving and attempts to flee law enforcement will be met with swift consequences. Deputies reminded drivers that attempting to avoid minor charges often leads to far more serious legal trouble.
Do penalties for fleeing law enforcement go far enough, or should they be tougher to prevent dangerous chases? Should juveniles involved in these situations face additional protections or consequences? Share your thoughts in the comments below and join the conversation.
