Drugged driver leads police on 14 mile, 26 minute chase in Wakulla County

News Release: Wakulla County Sheriff's Office
October 5, 2015

On Oct. 4 at 3:39 a.m., Michael Wayne Pritchard, 29, of Crawfordville was arrested for resisting an officer by fleeing with disregard for safety to persons or property; driving while license is suspended or revoked with knowledge; and aggravated assault on a police officer.

Sgt. Matt Helms observed Pritchard driving erratically on Highway 267, running off the road while turning off his headlights. The driver failed to stop for Sgt. Helms when he put his emergency lights and siren on and a slow speed pursuit was conducted in the 50 mile per hour range after Pritchard was deemed a danger to the public.

The suspect traveled to U.S. Highway 319 and headed north while using both lanes of the road. Traffic on the highway was forced to take evasive action to avoid a collision.

The vehicle turned onto Pixie Circle with the driver hanging his head and upper torso out the window. The motorist struck a small tree on Pixie Circle and struck a second tree before heading back toward Sgt. Helms and U.S. Highway 319. Sgt. Helms was forced to take evasive action twice to avoid being hit by the motorist.

The vehicle traveled into Leon County and left the roadway on a Forest Road south of Blue Sink before being observed traveling south toward Wakulla County. Deputy Roy Gunnarsson and Deputy Wade Wright followed the suspect onto L.L. Wallace Road to Springhill Road where the driver crashed into a telephone utility box.

The driver exited the vehicle and began running on foot. The driver was caught within 100 yards and secured in handcuffs. The pursuit continued 14.2 miles and lasted approximately 26 minutes. Pritchard appeared under the influence of an unknown narcotic and appeared to be in a state of excited delirium.

Leon County EMS responded to the scene along with the Leon County Sheriff’s Office and Florida Highway Patrol. Later, Pritchard was cleared at Capital Regional Medical Center and transported to the Wakulla County Jail where he remains on $10,250 bond on two of the charges with a bond on the third charge still pending.

The final crash was investigated by the FHP. Pritchard’s driver’s license was found to be suspended with multiple active suspensions. Deputy Kenneth Miller and Lt. Sherrell Morrison also investigated.

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