[PHOTO CREDIT: Provided]
[Original Publish Date: 12/07/19]
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EUSTIS, Florida — A 17-year-old boy fled from police in a stolen SUV, sped down a dead-end street, went airborne, clipped a tree limb, landed and rolled end-over-end until coming to a final rest near a large oak tree Saturday afternoon.
Around 4:39 p.m. a Eustis Police officer spotted a dark blue BMW SUV that was reported stolen from Orange County in the area of McDonald Avenue and Cardinal Street. The officer attempted to pull the SUV over and it fled, said Eustis Police Community Relations Officer Lauren Brown. Officers then discontinued the attempted stop.
“We were never actually in pursuit,” said EPD Sgt. Jon Fahning, who was on scene.
Officers saw the SUV and a plume of dust on DeLand Road, more commonly known as the Eustis Bypass and thought it crashed, Fahning said. It did not crash then, but soon turned down Cattail Drive, a dead-end street next door to LifePointe Church.
The SUV sped down Cattail Drive and went airborne in a curve, flew over a single-chain fence, struck a tree limb 12 to 14 feet in the air, landed and went end-over-end several times, Fahning said. It was unclear if the SUV — which was totaled — landed on church property.
The driver, Tywon Lavar Hill Jr., 17, of Orange County attempted to flee on foot after the crash, but was quickly apprehended, Brown said. Police searched the SUV and found a stolen gun and marijuana packaged for distribution. Hill was taken to a local hospital for minor injuries and later taken to the Lake County Jail. Eustis Police Chief Gary Calhoun was also on scene. He told Lake Legal News he likes to work a road shift when he can.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office, Eustis Fire Department and Lake EMS assisted in the incident, Brown said.
Hill’s complete list of charges were unavailable at press time.
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Our Editor-in-Chief, Marilyn M. Aciego, began writing for Lake Legal News in 2010. In addition, she has made more than two dozen appearances on live national television, including Nancy Grace and the Greta Van Susteren show, along with her appearance on Evil Twins. Contact her with breaking news, tips, and feedback by sending an e-mail to 352Tips@gmail.com. You can also contact us on our Facebook page — and make sure you “Like” and “Follow us” there. [PHOTO CREDIT: Bonnie Whicher]
