Last Updated: 4:42 p.m.
Witnesses and police say the man had been pulled over at the Dollar General on U.S. 1, south of State Road 100, by Florida Highway Patrol troopers. A trooper had smelled marijuana emanating from the car, and the man’s eyes looked “glassy,” a trooper would later say. The man then decided to speed off in his Chevy Impala.
He didn’t get far.
The man, 30-year-old Ronald Glennlewis Evans of Pinehurst Drive in Palm Coast, blew a red light and struck the front of a pick-up truck at the intersection of State Road 100 and U.S. 1 then veered into the parking lot of the Citgo gas station and convenience store. The pick-up truck was driven by Thomas Andrew Luttenbacher of Pomona Park. He was slightly injured but did not require hospitalization.
Warnell Williams, the owner of a pick-up truck parked in the lot, was in the store, having a snack. “I didn’t see it hit my truck but I just saw it come flashing through,” Williams, a Bunnell resident, said. He saw what he described as “a flash of red” streak through the parking lot, parallel to U.S. 1. The Impala then struck his Chevy pick-up truck violently, and continued briefly into the grassy half-lot between the Citgo station and J&M Stainless Steel Repair, where men were working.
The Impala ended up facing east on the grass. It was shattered. The man inside was dead.
“It’s just a big red flash, the car went sideways,” with the driver’s side slamming into the parked pick-up truck, said Shelby Fawley, who saw a surveillance video of the crash as it unfolded. But she’d been sitting right by the bay windows of the Citgo as the wreck took place, working on her computer. “It was loud, it sounded like a damn bomb went off in here, shook the windows.”
A Flagler County Sheriff’s deputy had clocked Evans going 97 in a 45 moments before the crash, according to an FHP crash report.
The Dodge Ram ended up facing east in the westbound lane of State Road 100.
No one else was seriously injured in the wreck even though, all told, three other vehicles were impacted by the wreck.
Here’s how FHP’s Lt. Robert Asbill summed up the incident after troopers had been investigating the scene for about 90 minutes: “About 12:35 the trooper was conducting traffic enforcement just south of the city of Bunnell here on U.S. 1,” Asbill said. “He conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for a speeding violation. They pulled into the Dollar store just south of the scene here. He was out with the subject for a little bit, he noticed that there was an odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle.” The trooper was going back to his vehicle to run the license, after noticing “possible signs of impairment,” Asbill said. “He was going to do further investigation on that. When he approached back to the car, the subject drove off at a high rate of speed northbound on U.S. 1. Prior to coming to the intersection here, he’d passed a Flagler Sheriff’s deputy who was stationary, who clocked the vehicle over 90 miles an hour coming into the city here.”
It wasn’t a police chase, exactly, though it appeared to have been turning into one. “The trooper was attempting to catch back up to try to stop the subject again,” Asbill said. “They were a ways behind him,” by about 30 seconds, judging from the video, the trooper said. The Dollar store is about a mile from the location of the crash.
At least two police cruisers had immediately set chase of the Impala after it evaded the stop at the Dollar General. By shortly after 1 p.m., at least seven Florida Highway Patrol units had converged on the scene, along with units of the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office and the Bunnell Police Department.
The wreck took place at 12:41 p.m. It soon shut down State Road 100 in both directions from Church Street to U.S. 1. That segment is likely to remain closed, Bunnell Fire Chief Derek Frasier said, for “a while,” as Florida Highway Patrol investigators work the scene.
Just before 3:00 p.m., two women, later joined by a third, walked up close to the Impala. One of the women broke down and sobbed and remained there at times holding her head or holding the other woman who was also crying.
Evans was driving a rental car. He had served several stints in state prison and at the Volusia County jail for a variety of charges. He was last in custody, according to Department of Corrections records, last November, after serving a year and a half for grand theft auto and drug possession. He served four years, between 2005 and 2009, on a pair of similar charges–grand theft auto and cocaine sale. And he served two years between 2002 and 2004 on drug charges.
The Florida Highway Patrol is divided into 10 divisional troops to cover the state, each troop encompassing several counties. Flagler is in Troop G, which includes nine counties. Because this wreck involved troopers from Troop G, it is being investigated by detectives from a different troop–in this case, Troop D, from DeLand.
The following video, shot moments after the wreck, was provided by Shelby Fawley, who took it on her cell phone:
N/A says
great coverage, just a mistyping at the end
Anonymous says
They did not try to help home
Reader says
Flaglerlive, Here’s a picture of the guy that was being chased . http://www.volusiamug.vcgov.org/display.cfm?eventnumber=931488
Bill says
My sympathy to the owners of the two trucks that this man damaged. I hope he had INS so they will not need to pqy for his actions.
Anonymous says
Im sure the rental company did that he got the car through.
Seminole Pride says
Excelent coverage on the cell phone. They should show it to all those teenagers in traffic school or drivers ed.
Concerned Citizen says
Such a sad case…
Anonymous says
As tragic as this man’s life and death is, especially to his loved ones, it is a saving grace, at least, that more people were not killed.
steve says
Thankfully no innocent bystanders were injured or killed, and hopefully Mr. Luttenbacher makes a full recovery and everyone is successful in getting their wrecked vehicles repaired or replaced.
Resident says
Seems to me this could have been easily avoided, if Mr. Evans hadn’t decided to elude the police in the first place. From the criminal past that Mr. Evan’s had, he should have known better. Unfortunately, some criminals do not learn their lessons until it is too late as it is in this case it is. The fact that no one else sustained (major) injuries is a miracle. I am very sorry that Mr. Evans’ loved ones kissed him goodbye for the last time. May he RIP.
HorseWith a Name says
All over a little herb , see people should of legalized it this guy wouldn’t of had to run. Unless ofcourse he probably had othe issues a outstanding warrant or maybe some other drugs on him, only he knows. But if marijuana were legal the officer would not of been messing with him in the first place. Great job though chasing a man to his death and possibly killing others all over a ill bit of herb. That’s the big problem with the war on drugs. All this over nothing.
Julie says
Legalization of marijuana has nothing to do with driving while impaired by it. It will never be legal to do that.
Anonymous says
had this criminal been smoking it in his home no one would have cared hade he NOT already been speeding THATS why the cops stopped him he would have gone on his way. Had he not been smoking this shit while driving he would be on his way. He was not chased to his death he ran HEAD ON into it.
Dave says
This serves as a reminder of how careful you have to be while driving around here. You have to be constantly vigilant of other drivers that may invade your legal space on any road at any time. You have to watch for crossover vehicles coming your way on the interstate, drivers who aren’t paying attention of fleeing police that might run traffic lights or stop signs, drivers who might not be able to judge your speed who enter the highway in front of you, etc., etc. etc. You cannot be satisfied simply obeying the traffic laws and being in the right. Your very survival may depend upon it some day.
Driving with circumspection, looking both ways before entering any highway or intersection, whether or not you have the right of way, keeping your vehicle in a position that allows you to take evasive action when needed, and always having a plan in mind of what to do and where to point your vehicle when the unexpected happens is the very definition of defensive driving.
confidential says
Additional to this tragic event I want to make the Sheriff Department aware that the Palm Coast Parkway at least East of I 95 and both ways has become a raceway were drivers in total disregard for the heavy traffic and the endangering of lives, race at high rate of speed specially starting Friday’s thru Sunday.
We need patrolmen posted at least one or two in the Palm Coast Parkway more often as when I witnessed those violations at high rate of speed none were to be seeing. A serious tragedy is in the wait there too.
I believe two factors are the culprit; the delaying of traffic by the construction and also aggressive drivers high in substance.
tulip says
@Horsewithaname: Legalizing marijuana will be the cause of more accidents, not the prevention of them. Add that to drunk driving texting while driving and eliminating red light cameras, there is going to be more and more serious accidents and innocent people getting hurt by these moron drivers who think they can do whatever they please on the road. They are in the same category as immature teenagers.
Joy says
to horsewithaname, I believe that is part of the problem with the “herb” becoming legal, driving under the influence…..
Charles "Bub" Robson says
Lets wait until the toxicology tests come back. A little “Herb” has no place in an auto. Smoke your head off at home and stay off the roadways. Alcohol or drugs have no place on the road. Thank the Troopers and local law enforcement for the thankless job they do.
unknown says
Rest in peace young man
common sense says
he lived the reckless life of a thug…not the judge but ‘RIP’ is not likely
His niece says
Don’t talk about my uncle he lived his life in gods ways and you dear comment something as ignorant as this when you don’t even know the full story they didn’t even explain it you only believing what the new people say
common sense says
‘So sad’…’Tragic event’… I say this could not have ended better, this ended quite well as no innocent bystanders were killed, This a-hole put lives at risk because hes a lifelong loser. Imagine if this article read, “family of four loses life after career criminal flees traffic stop”. That, is the reality. And to ‘horse with a name’, the guy wasn’t stopped for marijuana, he was stopped for a traffic offense. Did you even read the article? several stints in state prison, grand theft auto, cocaine… Don’t put your ‘legalize it’ spin on this.
Liberal says
To Horse no name. Alcohol is legal but you still can’t drive drunk. Even if herb was legal, the situation would have been the same. So it wasn’t ‘all over nothing’ .
sam says
so sad, for the death of this man and , his family and the peoples who trucks got wrecked…. i seen the whole accident happen and it was really sad. my preys go out to every one invovled
Ashley T says
May you rest in peace big cousin.
tomc says
Add Clubhouse Drive to the list of drag strips ignored by FSCO. When citizens call, the Deputies are very polite, but nothing happens.
Kentrahl says
Very sad this man could have been saved as an ICU nurse they made no real attempt to save his life. Regardless of the situation he is still human. Were is the AED? Why isn’t he pulled from the car and resuscitated? Very sad!!!!
steve says
Darwinism strikes again
Anonymous says
@confidential , there is no speeding in that area, you get stuck at every light especially with construction now. just for your personal knowledge the speed limit is 45 not 25 ….people like you crawling along aggravate everyone else. you get them stuck at the lights. Heres my problem with this , its actually the State Troopers who are very very lucky no one else was killed , these cops have been told for years now …NOT to engage in high speed chases , they have radio`s , they can get officers down the street to either block road or put out stop sticks, your going to kill a man over speeding and a joint , they brought that nonsense onto Palm Coast Parkway off I95 two years ago causing an 8 car pile up , why are they not fired for breaking the law and engaging in these high speed chases , if they were female cops they would , last year they fired an Ormond Bch woman police officer for a high speed chase and no accident was even involved , State Troopers and Local Police need to abide by the same rules they are supposed to uphold, and ones that were mandated specifically for them to not engage in high speed chases , there are innocent people on the roads!!
Devon Washington says
Its a dam shame.
confidential says
Tomc I agree with you Clubhouse Drive is another Nascar raceway strip also. Today around 10.30 am I saw a FCSO cruiser parked in the east lane of PC Parkway talking to some of the workers supervisor I think looked like. They better be there because speeders I have seeing totally disregard other drivers, parkway workers, pedestrians, wild life and anyone on their way while racing in our public roads. We are approaching the weekend and lets all keep alert if we still see law enforcing presence against these maniacs at the steering wheel driving to kill. Or we will have to be calling again the FCSO?
Anita says
My condolences to the family of Mr. Evans and know that at last, he is at peace. To those of you who condemn driving under the influence of marijuana, you are correct. No one should drive in an impaired state, whether such impairment is caused by beer, 12 year old scotch, marijuana or cell phones. I have had three near misses recently caused by drivers on cell phones. Please people, get a Bluetooth, make or answer the call before you start the engine or wait until you reach your destination to chat.
annomymous says
Just so this site knows , police are not supposed to engage in high speed chases , its against the law , there are innocent people driving and walking , them two cops racing each other on 100 last year killed that poor man in a van , you could report the truth once in awhile, and not stick up for every old fart that complains about people getting mad at them for crawling through town, calling people doing the speed limit speedsters, I like to see you try and speed on Palm Coast Parkway getting stuck at each and every light , Pierre you used to print the truth
Jose Caniusi says
The police have radios, and they should use them. Car chases usually end up doing more harm to innocent citizens and their property.
Cops do have a dangerous job and should be commended for their service,but chasing someone over a traffic stop seems foolhardy when considering a simple roadblock could save a life.
And yes,thank you officers for keeping us safe,but please stop calling us civilians…we are citizens.
Charles "Bub" Robson says
Chases are not illegal as stated above. Each Police agency has a policy that dictates when the chases are allowed and the policy’s very from agency to agency. There is not a state law prohibiting police chases.
HorseWith Aname says
I ws not stating that he should be driving under the influence even though that is open to debate, thats not what caused the crash being chased because “they smelled it” at the dollar store. If it were legal and he had his green card he would of had no reason to run unless he had other issues with the law ofcourse.
If it was legalized and he was prescribed it then he wouldnt of had a reason to run. Even though it is still illegal unless he had over the misdemeanor amount he was foolish to run, unless of course he has been busted 2x before which woul;d make even a miniscule amount a felony under the habitual offender act. Which is obsured for marijuana..
And that brings up a point as to why it was not legalized the majority of the people that would of voted it in cannot vote due to past felonies for having been caught with it.
your cousin says
rest in peace Bo we love you and miss you.