It started with an apparent seat belt violation.
Chauncey McCray, 24, was at the wheel of a rented blue Toyota Camry, driving south on U.S. 1 around 1 p.m. When Flagler County Sheriff’s deputy Seth Green pulled up in a parallel lane, he noticed that McCray was not wearing a seat belt. The deputy slowed to get behind McCray’s car and initiate a traffic stop.
At first McCray, of 11 Kannapolis Place in Palm Coast, slowed as well. He was at the wheel of his sister’s car–she had rented it that day, she would later tell authorities–and was supposed to be on his way to pick up her child from school. But he then sped up, turning onto Kankakee Trail.
“The vehicle was suspected to have severe damage due to an oil spill after going airborne. This was believed to cause catastrophic vehicle damage, but the vehicle continued to operate,” the deputy reported. As other deputies observed the car on 95, they saw it “crossing all lanes of travel which was heavily occupied by vehicle traffic.” The Toyota then sideswiped a semi truck, lost control, and struck the highway’s center guard rail.
Based on body camera footage from the scene, McCray was initially unresponsive when he was handcuffed and positioned on the ground next to the vehicle, and appeared unable to sit up: he had fractured his neck in two places. He was transported to Halifax, where he remains.
A deputy searching the vehicle found a .40 caliber firearm with a magazine containing 10 rounds of ammunition. Since McCray is a convicted felon, his being in possession of a firearm would result in a second-degree felony charge. The deputy also found cocaine, fentanyl, oxymorphone and other prescription pills, and a bank card that did not belong to him. There were two digital scales in the vehicle, typically used to weigh drugs.
McCray was charged with Aggravated Fleeing with Serious Injury, Trafficking Fentanyl, Trafficking Oxycodone, Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, Possession of Ammunition by a Convicted Felon, Possession of Cocaine with Intent to Sell, Possession of Marijuana, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He was also cited for running a red light, not wearing a seat belt, running a stop sign, and fleeing and eluding with serious bodily injury.
The semi truck’s driver was not injured.
Eleven years ago, Chauncey McCray was a student at Buddy Taylor Middle School, enrolled in the district’s highly regarded mentoring program. He was arrested and convicted of trafficking cocaine in 2015, was sentenced to probation and arrested again two years later on a pot-trafficking charge, though that charge was dropped.
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Steve says
Another Upstanding Member of the Community. Trying to outrun radio Communications etc. Not real smart on his part. Glad no innocent folks were injured. Seems He has no regard for anything but himself. Lucky the Child wasnt in the Vehicle. From the list of Charges and the complete disregard for others lives and safety should have a long term reservation in North Florida somewhere. I dont know where peoples mindsets are in these instances. Hes a lunatic and doesnt belong free in Society.
Crockett says
This guy deserves whatever punishment he’s going to get. At least this FCSO bust was better than the “banana in the tailpipe” I mean knife in the tire fiasco.
Concerned says
“He was at the wheel of his sister’s car–she had rented it that day, she would later tell authorities–and was supposed to be on his way to pick up her child from school.”
She was letting *this person* pick up her child? Wow..
Pogo says
@Never a dull moment on the police beat
Chauncey McCray is a menace. Ya just never know when a menace will be revealed:
‘His face was in your windshield’: South Dakota AG faces impeachment charges as new details of fatal crash emerge
The state attorney general, Jason Ravnsborg, has said he thought he hit a deer, but investigators noted the dead man’s glasses were found in his car
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/south-dakota-house-moves-impeach-ag-after-fatal-crash-n1258708
Man is the only animal that blushes–or needs to.
— Mark Twain
MikeM says
I could never understand what goes through these thugs’ minds. I would dig ditches for minimum wage rather than risk my freedom.
Mythoughts says
Sounds like he hasn’t learned his lesson from 2015, another upstanding Flagler County resident. Maybe he will think about running from the law while he lays in the hospital bed. Hope he has medical insurance since his occupation seems to be selling drugs. Maybe this will teach his sister from allowing him near her child since he didn’t seem to respect his sister or the welfare of her child.
Old Guy says
I wonder what this means to the “seat belts cause injuries crowd”
Percy's mother says
He/s at Halifax. The taxpayers will pick up the bill.
Cybercrimes says
He was never going to pick up anyone’s child. I know that’s what the article says the sister claims. But come on, he’s not carrying all that weight while playing family guy.
African American says
Sound like a racist comment. You guys need to stop stereotyping people. This is sad man.
karizah says
first of all you not finna talk about my uncle yes we see him in prison and he doing 7 years they drop his chargers thank you very much and his lawyer getting him out no time soon😘 .
HayRide says
How do you have that much junk in a car you just rented that day?