Miami man arrested for fleeing deputies

A Miami man refused to stop his car and fled from deputies in the Upper Keys Monday night.

Sgt. Scott Ward was at the 102 mile marker when he saw a gray Toyota Camry northbound. The car was speeding, traveling 70 mile per hour.

Sgt. Ward pulled behind the vehicle and attempted to stop it with his lights and siren. Instead, the car kept traveling at the same rate of speed without stopping.

When the car reached the intersection of U.S. One and County Road 905, it turned off the highway and headed toward the Ocean Reef community with Sgt. Ward behind, still attempting to stop it. The car’s speeds continued between 70 and 75 miles per hour.

Sgt. Ward radioed ahead for assistance from deputies at Ocean Reef. The car drove through the three way stop at State Road 905 and Card Sound Road and headed for the front gate of Ocean Reef. Ocean Reef Public Safety quickly raised the gate as the car approached. The vehicle traveled through the gate at 60 miles per hour; ran through two more stop signs before coming to a stop.

The driver, identified as 21 year old Eduardo Fernandez of Miami, was taken into custody. As he was being handcuffed, he said “I saw your lights when you first turned them on. I am drunk and I am scared.” He was arrested and charged with fleeing and eluding police.

When Fernandez was removed from his vehicle, he left his car in reverse and it went backwards a short distance hitting Sgt. Ward’s patrol car, causing minor damage.

Florida Highway Patrol responded to the scene and conducted an investigation into the crash and into Fernandez driving under the influence of alcohol. Fernandez was subsequently additionally charged with DUI.