At approximately 1:46 a.m. on Friday, November 13, K-9 Deputy Doug Watts observed a pick-up truck traveling northbound in the southbound lane of US HWY 441 near the 3500 block, headed right for him. The truck then crossed over a paved median and continued to travel north. Deputy Watts made a U-turn and initiated a pursuit.
Additional deputies responded and joined the pursuit that reached speeds exceeding 90 MPH. The driver, John Baxter, ran four red lights while traveling north on US HWY 441 through the City of Ocala. Stop sticks were deployed causing Baxter’s front passenger tire to go flat and he slowed to speeds of 45-55 MPH.
As Baxter continued to flee from law enforcement, Deputy Watts performed a P.I.T. maneuver and successfully disabled the vehicle. Baxter was ejected, but was not seriously injured. When deputies asked him if he had been drinking, his response was “Not enough, I guess.”
Arrested: John Baxter, W/M, 07-20-57
3385 SW 97th Court
Ocala, FL 34481
Charges: Driving under the influence, fleeing and eluding
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