A Wildwood teen was arrested after allegedly driving recklessly in Leesburg.
A deputy observed a white Acura passenger car exit a Wawa gas station and drive west onto Griffin Road on Sunday evening, according to an arrest report from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. The driver, later identified as 18-year-old Zachary Stephen Egner, drove at a high rate of speed and nearly struck the deputy’s patrol vehicle. The deputy saw three younger males with long curly hair inside the vehicle.
The deputy made a U-turn to conduct a traffic stop and watched the car continue at a high rate of speed. It also ignored multiple stop signs in a residential area and drove through a school zone. The car then took a right turn Lee Street, the report said.
As the deputy drove down Lee Street, he saw the vehicle tucked into a parking lot trying to hide from law enforcement. The deputy entered the parking lot, and the Acura drove out at a high rate of speed. It passed another vehicle by driving in the wrong direction, the report said.
The deputy tried to conduct a traffic stop by turning on his overhead lights and siren, but the vehicle did not stop and continued north on Lee Street. He ended the traffic stop and drove toward U.S. Highway 441 instead, the report said.
While driving on Griffin Road, the deputy spotted the male in the back seat of the Acura get into a different vehicle. The deputy stopped the vehicle and identified the male as a witness. He stated that he got out of the vehicle because he was scared and did not want any involvement, the report said.
The witness was able to give the deputy the driver’s name and phone number, which helped identify Egner. He agreed to return to Lee Street to talk with the deputy, the report said.
Once Egner was on scene, the deputy advised him of his rights, which he waived. He admitted to fleeing from law enforcement due to not wanting a ticket, the report said.
Egner was subsequently arrested on charge of fleeing or attempting to elude a law enforcement officer and reckless driving. He was transported to Lake County Jail and released after posting $5,500 bond.