EAST PALATKA, Fla. – A 19-year-old Palm Coast man was arrested Friday afternoon, Oct. 16, 2026, after deputies say he pointed a gun at his girlfriend’s head, fled from law enforcement and crashed his vehicle along U.S. Highway 17 in Putnam County.
Reginald De’George Lumpkin, 19, faces multiple felony charges following the incident, which ended with deputies recovering a firearm and taking him into custody after a foot chase.
According to the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, deputies initially responded to a report that Lumpkin had placed a firearm against his girlfriend’s head while the couple was in the area of Kelley Smith School Road.
The woman was able to call for help, but Lumpkin fled before deputies could apprehend him.
Suspect Crashes in Median While Fleeing Deputies on US 17
A deputy later spotted Lumpkin at a gas station in East Palatka.
When the deputy encountered him, Lumpkin reportedly sped away and headed south on U.S. Highway 17.
Deputies followed as Lumpkin continued driving south. During the pursuit, he lost control of his vehicle and crashed in the highway median.
According to the sheriff’s office, Lumpkin then abandoned the vehicle and ran from deputies, throwing a firearm as he fled.
Deputies recovered the discarded weapon and apprehended Lumpkin following the foot pursuit.
Authorities did not report any additional injuries related to the crash.
Suspect Taken to Hospital Before Being Booked Into Jail
Because of possible injuries sustained in the crash, deputies transported Lumpkin to HCA Florida Putnam Hospital for medical evaluation.
He was examined and medically cleared before being returned to law enforcement custody.
The sheriff’s office also reported that Lumpkin made an obscene hand gesture toward deputies while being escorted from the emergency room back to a patrol vehicle.
Five Charges Filed, Two Flagler County Warrants Outstanding
Lumpkin was arrested on the following charges:
- Aggravated assault with a deadly weapon
- Aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer
- Fleeing and eluding police at a high rate of speed
- Resisting an officer without violence
- Destroying evidence
The sheriff’s office also confirmed that Lumpkin had two outstanding warrants from Flagler County. Authorities did not disclose the offenses associated with those warrants.
Lumpkin was transported to the Putnam County Jail, where he was being held without bond pending his return to Flagler County.