FORT WHITE, Florida – A 44-year-old Wellborn man was arrested Tuesday night after deputies say he led law enforcement on a high-speed chase reaching 102 miles per hour before being stopped with spike strips and a PIT maneuver in Columbia County.
At approximately 9:30 p.m. February 10, 2026, Deputy Sweat was conducting traffic enforcement near County Road 131 and Southwest Cumorah Hill in the outskirts of Fort White when he observed a silver Chevy Traverse fail to stop at a stop sign. When the deputy activated his lights and siren to initiate a traffic stop, the vehicle accelerated away.
Authorities said the vehicle was clocked at 102 mph as the pursuit continued northbound on CR-131 at speeds near 100 mph. Deputy Lorton successfully deployed spike strips at the intersection of CR-131 and Southwest Bedenbaugh Lane, slowing the vehicle enough for Deputy Sweat to perform a Precision Immobilization Technique maneuver.
The vehicle came to a stop on CR-131 just south of CR-242A. Deputies said the driver, identified as Jeffery Allen Steele, refused commands to exit the vehicle. K-9 Deputy Stephens then deployed K-9 Kaiju into the vehicle, and Steele was removed and taken into custody.
A search of the vehicle following the arrest resulted in the seizure of multiple narcotics and drug paraphernalia, according to deputies.
Steele was transported to HCA Hospital for medical clearance before being booked into the Columbia County Detention Facility on a $32,000 bond.
He faces charges including fleeing and eluding law enforcement, dangerous speeding of 50 mph or more over the limit, driving while license suspended or revoked as a third or subsequent offense, obstruction without violence, tag attached not assigned, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a controlled substance.
Comments are closed, but trackbacks and pingbacks are open.