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FHP: 1 killed, man sought after Wildwood police chase ends in crash

WILDWOOD, Fla. — A woman was killed and a man was being sought Tuesday in a multiple-vehicle crash that began with a police chase, Florida Highway Patrol troopers said.

The crash happened just before 2 p.m. on County Road 219 and State Road 44 in Wildwood.

The west lanes of State Road 44 between I-75 and U.S. 301 were still blocked by 5:30 p.m. as troopers worked to clear the scene and find a suspect.

The roadway reopened just after 6:10 p.m.

Photos: Multi-vehicle crash in Wildwood

Troopers said Wildwood officers were trying to stop a white, 2007 BMW for a traffic violation at about 1:30 p.m., but the driver refused to pull over.

The driver fled north on County Road 219 and struck a Honda SUV, which flipped on its roof, troopers said.

The driver of the Honda, Laura Lee Price, 55, of Inverness,, died at the scene, troopers said.

The BMW rotated, sideswiped a Chevy truck, kept going and then hit a tractor-trailer where it got partially stuck underneath, according to the FHP.

The driver of the pickup truck received minor injuries in the crash.

The driver of the tractor-trailer was not injured, troopers said.

Troopers said a man was apprehended as he tried to run from the BMW and another man who fled the car is still being sought.

Anthony Brown, of Ocalla, was arrested in connection with the crash and was charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon after investigators found an AK-47 in the BMW, troopers said.

The Sumter County Sheriff's Office helicopter was circling above the crash scene, while K-9's searched the ground.

Deputies said they were helping Wildwood police in the search.

The individual being sought by authorities was described as a black male with braided hair or dreadlocks, wearing black and red shorts and a white T-shirt, troopers said.

Anyone with information on the man who fled is asked to call deputies or Crime Stoppers.

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