- Darrell Denver Horne, a 32-year-old habitual traffic offender with 32 convictions, was arrested after fleeing Columbia County deputies multiple times at speeds over 100 mph.
- Horne was charged with fleeing and eluding, reckless driving, driving with a suspended license, possession of drug paraphernalia, and violation of probation, and held without bond.
A 32-year-old Sarasota County man was arrested on Sunday after allegedly fleeing from Columbia County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) deputies multiple times at speeds exceeding 100 mph.
According to the CCSO release sent Wednesday, the incident began about 1 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 27, when a CCSO deputy observed a motorcycle leaving a motel parking lot and entering another motel parking lot along U.S. 90. The motorcycle did not have a license plate.
The deputy attempted a traffic stop using emergency lights and a siren, but the motorcycle fled south on Interstate 75 at speeds exceeding 120 mph. The deputy was unable to stop the motorcycle and quickly lost sight of it, ending the pursuit.
Shortly afterward, a CCSO sergeant spotted what deputies believed to be the same motorcycle on State Road 47 near Clay Electric. The motorcycle accelerated to 75 mph, according to radar, and again fled from the sergeant, preventing a traffic stop.
Another deputy later located the motorcycle traveling east on SE Baya Drive and then south on SE Country Club Road. The motorcycle reached 116 mph, according to radar, before slowing near County Road 133C. The driver turned west onto CR 133C and then continued south on U.S. 41.
Deputies coordinated their patrol vehicles to box in the motorcycle, successfully bringing the incident to an end. The driver, identified as Darrell Denver Horne, was removed from the motorcycle and taken into custody without further incident.
Deputies said they found a methamphetamine pipe in the backpack Horne was wearing at the time of his arrest.
According to CCSO, Horne is on probation in Sarasota County for possession of burglary tools and is classified as a habitual traffic offender. Deputies said he has 16 felony convictions and 16 misdemeanor convictions, most of which are related to theft or burglary.
Horne was transported to the Columbia County Detention Facility and booked on multiple charges. He was ordered held without bond at first appearance.
Horne faces charges of aggravated fleeing and eluding, driving while license suspended or revoked as a habitual traffic offender, dangerous excessive speeding, reckless driving, possession of drug paraphernalia and violation of probation.
The CCSO stated in the release that high-speed attempts to flee from law enforcement put motorists and pedestrians at risk and credited its deputies with working together to safely end the incident.
Anyone with information related to the case is asked to contact CCSO at 386-719-2005 and, to remain anonymous, can contact Crime Stoppers of Columbia County at 386-754-7099 or www.columbiacrimestoppers.net.