ST. LUCIE COUNTY, Fla. — A previously convicted felon faces multiple charges after a pursuit and crash injured another driver in St. Lucie County, deputies said.
In a Friday morning news conference, Sheriff Keith Pearson said the incident started at about 10 p.m. Thursday in Indian River County when Florida Highway Patrol troopers pursued a fleeing felon.
According to the arrest report, the felon, identified as Lance Evans, 40, was driving about 25 mph over the posted speed limit near the State Road 60 exit on Interstate 95.
The pursuit ended about 20 miles away in St. Lucie County when Evans crashed into another driver near Virginia Avenue and Sunrise Boulevard.
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"Our deputies arrived on scene at that point, to not only provide first aid but to take the suspect into custody," Pearson said.
The innocent driver was taken to HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital with injuries described as not life-threatening. Her SUV was later towed from the scene.
The sheriff said Evans, who was still in his vehicle, drove toward law enforcement.
According to the arrest affidavit, both a deputy and a FHP trooper told Evans to stop driving, but he didn't, prompting one of the deputies to shoot at Evan's vehicle multiple times.
"I would say less than 10 rounds were fired," said Pearson. "I don't want to give a count on that, but nobody was struck by gunfire."
Pearson said the vehicle continued to flee, prompting deputies to continue to pursue it, later using a precision immobilization technique (PIT) maneuver to stop Evans. He then fled on foot, but deputies were able to stop him by using a Taser, taking him into custody.
The sheriff said Evans has "an extensive criminal history."
"He's not only a felon in the state of Florida, he's a felon throughout the nation," Pearson said.
Evans faces charges of aggravated assault, driving under the influence, fleeing and eluding law enforcement and a convicted felon possessing a firearm.
Court documents WPTV uncovered show Evans was convicted of resisting arrest and fleeing from officers at least twice before, once in 2014 and once in 2023.
'I WASN'T EXPECTING THIS'
Juan Delara, who lives in the area, saw the commotion, and couldn't get home for several hours.
"I saw a bunch of lights, and a car in the middle of the street," Delara said. "I wasn't expecting this."
He said he was shocked to hear about the police chase and said his neighborhood is normally quiet.
"I'm glad of the outcome of this, hopefully we don't have more of this stuff," Delara said.
Pearson said the 27-year veteran deputy who shot at Evans' vehicle is paid administrative leave.
No one was hit by gunfire except the felon's vehicle, Pearson said.
