UPDATE (1:00 PM) -- Troopers say a Port Charlotte man is facing several charges after a brief interstate police chase early Monday morning.
According to Florida Highway Patrol, troopers pulled over a Kia SUV at mile marker 148 just after 2 a.m. Monday for speeding and possible impairment. The driver stopped the SUV but took off when the trooped exited his vehicle.
The driver briefly exited at the Bayshore Road exit in North Fort Myers, losing a tire in the process, before re-entering the southbound lanes while driving on the rim.
The driver then exited the interstate at Palm Beach Boulevard in Fort Myers before the SUV came to a stop at the intersection with Kingston Drive and both people inside fled on foot.
The Lee County Sheriff's Office assisted in locating the pair, who were arrested and booked into the Lee County Jail.
The driver, 23-year-old Christopher Francois of Port Charlotte, was arrested for Fleeing and Eluding, Violation of probation warrant, driving while license suspended, obstruction without violence, open container, driving while under the influence. He is being held on no bond.
The passenger, 34-year-old Jessica Rucker of LaBelle, was arrested for a violation of probation warrant and obstruction without violence (2 counts). She is being held on $4,000 bond.
(Original story below)
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FORT MYERS, Fla-- Lee County Sheriff’s deputies and Florida Highway Patrol troopers are investigating an incident that happened on Palm Beach Boulevard.
Around 2 A.M. Monday morning, law enforcement swarmed the area on the road, near Alta Vista Drive. Our crew on scene says the investigation was surrounding a silver Kia SUV.
A tow truck was scene towing the car away several hours later.
