ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. -- The mother of an Orange County teenager accused of trying to run down a deputy and then leading deputies on a pursuit is not surprised at her son's behavior.

Deputies were called to the Colony Apartments on University Boulevard (see map) early Friday morning to investigate threats of a shooting.

"This guy is lucky he didn't get shot by a deputy tonight," said Lt. Spike Hopkins with the Orange County Sheriffs Office.

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VIDEO REPORT: Police Chase Ends With Crash, Teens Arrested
AT THE SCENE: Three Teens Arrested After Dangerous Pursuit

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Investigators say 18-year-old Otis Peurifoy tried to ram his car into a deputy cruiser. In the end, he crashed it into a pillar blocking entry to a bicycle path.

"It's more dangerous than a bullet because of the size and the damage that can be done," said Lt. Hopkins.

Eyewitness News reporter Q. McCray broke the news to Peurifoys mother Roxine Williams. She was not surprised.

"I believe you. If he [sees] a cop a block away he's going to run," Roxine Williams said.

"Because he's on probation, he has a curfew of 6:00pm and he has a juvenile warrant?" WFTV reporter Q McCray asked as Williams nodded in agreement.

Orange County sheriff's deputies got a call saying that Peurifoy threatened to kill someone around 2:00am Friday morning. Deputies confronted him at Colony Apartments near Goldenrod and Forsyth.

"A pursuit ensued. Down goldenrod and into a subdivision," said Lt. Hopkins.

Peurifoy drove down a bike path where he eventually crashed into a pillar, got out of the vehicle and made a run for it. Deputies caught up with him moments later and arrested him in a swampy area.

"It was literally knee-deep, mucky water back in the area. He didn't get far. He was heavy set," said Lt. Hopkins.

Deputies also arrested Richard King and an unidentified juvenile female. Both were passengers in Peurifoy's car. King, 19, is charged with possession of a controlled substance after deputies say they saw him toss drugs out of the vehicle.

Peurifoy was taken to the Orange County Jail on charges of aggravated assault with a motor vehicle on a deputy and felony fleeing and eluding.

The entire ordeal has left Peurifoy's mother heartbroken.

"The whole thing makes me feel horrible," she said.