JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A driver who police say led officers on a high-speed chase in a stolen car through the Southside and San Marco on Wednesday evening was arrested at gunpoint and was booked into jail on charges including fleeing police, possession of marijuana, DUI, running red lights and more.
According to the arrest report, Oxzavian Jernigan, 19, was spotted by witnesses going 90 mph on Interstate 95 about 7 p.m. The report says that after Jernigan got off on University Boulevard, an officer followed him to Beach Boulevard and reported that he was weaving through traffic before turning on Beach Boulevard, where he drove 70 mph, went through three red lights and nearly caused several accidents.
"It's just crazy. You never know -- you're just standing underneath the light just waiting for it to turn green and out of nowhere all of this just happens and just pray and thank God it didn't hit our car," said Marie Cadet, one of several people who witnessed the chase.
Police said Jernigan continued onto Atlantic Boulevard into San Marco, where an officer did a PIT maneuver on Hendricks Avenue to strike and stop the Ford Focus.
Officers said Jernigan jumped out of the car, but was arrested at gunpoint.
Police said they were lucky no one was injured.
"What we consider is does the need to apprehend the suspect outweigh the danger to the community created by the pursuit," said Jacksonville Sheriff's Deputy Lt. Jimmy Judge.
According to the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, the car was stolen Monday and this is the sixth time Jernigan has been arrested. He also did not have a valid drivers license.
Jernigan remains in jail on a $65,000 bond and told the judge he was unemployed and needed a public defender.