LAKE CITY, Fla. – Two men were arrested Wednesday in Lake City on multiple charges, including possession of drugs and a firearm, following a vehicle pursuit and crash, the Columbia County Sheriff's Office said.
Just before 2 p.m., a Columbia County deputy pulled over a U-Haul truck on Interstate 75 near mile marker 431 for an improper lane change that almost caused a crash.
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The deputy approached the truck and talked with the driver, 24-year-old Akeem Davis, and the passenger, 29-year-old D'Angelo Harden, and smelled marijuana coming from the truck, the Sheriff's Office said.
According to CCSO, the deputy went back to his car to call for backup and was also unable to find a driver's license or ID under the name and date of birth Davis had given.
It was as the deputy was walking back to U-Haul truck that it sped away, resulting in a vehicle pursuit, deputies said.
The Sheriff's Office said the truck traveled north on I-75 and then made a U-turn and went south before exiting on U.S. 90 and going east. The truck ran a red light at the intersection of U.S. 90 and Sisters Welcome Road, hitting three other vehicles.
Davis and Harden attempted to run off, but both were apprehended immediately, deputies said.
The Florida Highway Patrol assisted deputies and conducted a crash investigation. Minor injuries were reported.
Davis was charged with giving a false name to law enforcement, felony fleeing and attempting to elude a law enforcement officer, felony hit-and-run, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of a stolen firearm.
Harden was charged with three out-of-state warrants from Alabama, Georgia and Texas for fraud, resisting without violence, giving a false name to law enforcement and possession of marijuana.