DEFUNIAK SPRINGS, Fla. – Two people are facing multiple felony charges after a high-speed chase in Walton County led to the discovery of a large quantity of drugs and a firearm.
According to the Walton County Sheriff’s Office, the incident began around 5 a.m. Thursday when a deputy attempted to stop a black Volkswagen sedan on U.S. Highway 90 near Cottonwood Boulevard for a broken taillight.
The driver, identified as 35-year-old Fabian Joseph Rutherford, accelerated instead of stopping, reaching speeds of up to 90 miles per hour before losing control and spinning into the roadway.
Deputies used a controlled maneuver to prevent the vehicle from fleeing again.
Rutherford then jumped out of the driver’s side window and attempted to run. As deputies closed in, he surrendered and lay on the ground about 10 feet from the vehicle. A syringe was found in his pocket.
The passenger, 19-year-old Jada Jay Urich, also attempted to flee but was quickly apprehended. Deputies found a needle in her pocket as well.
A search of the vehicle uncovered 116.2 grams of methamphetamine, 3.9 grams of fentanyl, prescription narcotics, a loaded handgun, drug paraphernalia, and multiple plastic bags consistent with distribution.
Authorities also recovered Buprenorphine/Naloxone patches and Suboxone tablets.
While being booked into the Walton County Jail, Urich was found to have additional methamphetamine hidden in her underwear.
Rutherford, who has an extensive criminal history and has served more than 11 years in prison across multiple sentences, now faces charges including trafficking in methamphetamine, fleeing and eluding, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and multiple additional offenses.
Urich is charged with trafficking in methamphetamine, possession of fentanyl, smuggling contraband into a detention facility, and other related charges.
Both suspects remain in custody at the Walton County Jail awaiting their first court appearance.