BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — The Florida Highway Patrol is searching for a driver who ran into a wooded area after leading officers on a high-speed vehicle pursuit that began near Babcock Street and Malabar Road.
The incident began at approximately 4:27 pm, when a trooper attempted to pull over a black BMW exiting a parking lot for a window tint violation. When the trooper activated the emergency lights and siren, the driver made an illegal U-turn and accelerated northbound on Babcock Street above the posted speed limit.
During the pursuit, the trooper attempted a Precision Immobilization Technique maneuver to stop the vehicle. The attempt was unsuccessful, and the driver regained control of the BMW. The vehicle chase concluded at approximately 4:39 pm at the intersection of Homestead Avenue and Nina Road, where the driver abandoned the car and ran on foot into a nearby wooded area. The trooper ran after him but was unable to find him.
FHP requested assistance from local agencies to search the area, as a perimeter was established with help from the Palm Bay Police Department and the West Melbourne Police Department, while the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office provided aerial support with a helicopter. Law enforcement officers were unable to locate the driver during the initial search.
Troopers described the driver as a young, thin Black man wearing dark clothing and tight pants, with possible neck tattoos.
The Florida Highway Patrol said the case remains an active criminal investigation, with charges pending against the driver.
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