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FHP: Suspect dead after being hit by police cruiser during pursuit

DELAND, Fla. — A Volusia County deputy tried to pull over a car, but the driver took off, and was killed by a police officer's vehicle, Florida Highway Patrol said.

Authorities said the incident happened on Green Avenue and Parsons Avenue in DeLand just after 1 a.m. Wednesday.

Troopers said after an alert was put out, two DeLand police officers spotted the car and tried to pull it over, but the driver, Marlon Robert Brown, 38, did not stop. Moments later, Brown did stop the car, jumped out and ran.

Volusia County deputies said they backed off when Brown refused to stop, but troopers believe that DeLand police pursued Brown.

"They definitely had their lights on and were attempting to stop the car," said Lt. Robert Asbill of the Florida Highway Patrol.

After Brown jumped from his car, the DeLand officers chased him on foot. During the pursuit, another officer hit Brown with his cruiser and ran over him, FHP said.

Brown was pronounced dead at the scene. FHP said four women inside the car were not injured.

"I was just staring, like I can't believe this, is this real? Is this real? I don't know. I still don't believe it. I don't understand," said Sanmeshia Johnson, who said she was in the passenger seat of the car Brown was driving.

Johnson said Brown wouldn't stop because he didn't want to go back to jail.

"That's what he said. I can't afford to go back to jail, I don't want to go back to jail and then I was like, 'Well Marlon slow down because he was turning fast or whatever,'" said Johnson.

The incident angered some community residents.

"They just run over DeLand people like they're nothing. This ain't got nothing to do with black or white, it's just justice for this kid here," said Ricky Jefferies, a friend of the victim.

FHP troopers are investigating the incident. DeLand police would not comment.