By Joanna Putman
Police1
KEY WEST, Fla. — Dashcam footage captured a dramatic scene on the Seven Mile Bridge in the Florida Keys, where a man fleeing law enforcement jumped off the bridge into the water below before being taken into custody, NBC South Florida reported.
The incident began on Nov. 26 when Florida Highway Patrol troopers observed a pickup truck speeding at 70 mph in a 45 mph zone, according to the report. When troopers attempted a traffic stop, the driver refused to comply, leading them on a high-speed pursuit.
According to FHP, the driver reached speeds exceeding 100 mph and weaved dangerously through traffic, nearly striking several vehicles, including an off-duty Monroe County Sheriff’s Office unit. Dashcam footage shows the truck stopping on the Seven Mile Bridge before the driver exited the vehicle and jumped into the water.
Monroe County Sheriff’s Office deputies in a boat quickly retrieved the driver and took him into custody, according to the report. Later, while handcuffed and soaking wet in an FHP patrol car, the suspect was captured on dashcam video discussing his actions with a trooper.
“Listen, I know I did some stupid stuff just now, but it wasn’t that stupid,” the man said, to which the trooper replied, “It was that stupid.”
The trooper informed the man that he would have received a ticket had he stopped initially.
“How fast was I going?” the man asked.
“Seventy in a 45,” the trooper responded.
The suspect now faces multiple charges, including driving with a suspended license as a habitual offender, fleeing and eluding law enforcement at high speed, resisting an officer and other misdemeanors.
