VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — A DeLand man is facing multiple charges after authorities say he struck a fire truck at an emergency scene, fled across Volusia County, and attempted to escape on foot before being captured Tuesday afternoon, June 30th.
According to the Volusia Sheriff’s Office, the incident began on June 30 when a passenger vehicle struck a County of Volusia fire truck that was stopped on International Speedway Boulevard while firefighters were responding to a single-vehicle rollover crash.
Authorities said the driver fled westbound on International Speedway Boulevard toward DeLand, driving recklessly by passing vehicles on the grass and shoulder and nearly causing several additional crashes.
After reaching DeLand, the driver briefly stopped to allow two passengers to exit the vehicle before continuing to flee.
Investigators said the pursuit ended near Amelia Avenue when the driver attempted to pass traffic, struck a culvert, and crashed into a utility pole.
The driver then abandoned the vehicle and ran into the Publix shopping plaza.
Although Volusia Sheriff’s Office K-9 Red was prepared to begin tracking the suspect, troopers with the Florida Highway Patrol apprehended him before the canine deployment was necessary.
The suspect was identified as 27-year-old Jamal Anthony Riascos of DeLand.
Riascos was charged with:
- Fleeing or Attempting to Elude with Property Damage
- Leaving the Scene of a Crash
- Reckless Driving
- Resisting an Officer
- Violation of Probation
He was transported to a local hospital for evaluation before being booked into the Volusia County Branch Jail.