FHP PITs Reckless Driver, Discovers He's High on Fentanyl
Incident Report: On August 6th, 2024, I, Trooper Norris was on duty in my marked Florida Highway Patrol Dodge Charger in the area of the 118 mile-marker southbound on I-75 (SR-93). A Be On The Look Out (BOLO) came out referring to a Collier County Deputy attempting to stop a reckless driver southbound at the 128 mile marker on I-75 (SR-93). I was investigating a crash at the 118 mile marker. As Deputy Guilligan approached my location, Fort Myers Regional Communications Center informed me that the deputy was still behind the vehicle and that it almost caused multiple crashes. I looked out my driver-side rear-view mirror and saw red and blue lights about a mile north of my location. The lights were moving at a slow speed. I continued to work my crash. Approximately 5 minutes after, I saw a Collier County Sheriff Patrol Car behind a Red Mitsubishi SUV. The Collier County Deputy had his lights and siren on and was attempting to stop the vehicle. I maneuvered my patrol car with the emergency lights on beside the fleeing vehicle. I rolled down my window and identified Sererino Martinez Jr. behind the wheel of the vehicle. I instructed Martinez to "Pull Over" with arm signals as well as yelling those words. Martinez refused to stop. I moved to behind the vehicle and continued to pursue the fleeing vehicle. Note I turned my siren on after he refused to stop.
At the 115 mile marker, the driver was at 55 mph speed, and the traffic conditions were safe for the Precision Immobilization Technique (PIT). I maneuvered my vehicle to the rear right side of the vehicle and successfully immobilized the vehicle onto the inside shoulder of I-75 (SR-93). I got out of my car, making a driver’s side approach instructing Martinez to get out of the car. Martinez was in a heavy sweat when he was pulled out of the car. He did not follow simple instructions given by Deputy Guilligan (4569) and me. Deputy Guilligan and I placed Martinez in the back of his marked CCSO Ford Explorer. Martinez began to sweat and began to look like he was going to pass out. I immediately called FMRCC and asked for an ambulance to get there as soon as possible. Trp. Drake (523), who arrived on scene, called Martinez’s girlfriend, who stated that Martinez’s drug of choice was Fentanyl. Martinez was taken out of the patrol car and sat on the tailgate of the Red Mitsubishi SUV. Martinez was struggling to stay awake, and wobbling side to side on the tailgate. I went to my car to retrieve my Narcan in the front left of my patrol car. Deputy Guilligan informed me that his eyes looked like pinpoints. Martinez was taken to the hospital by Collier County EMS. On the way, Martinez was given Narcan two times.
I eventually arrived at North Collier Hospital where Martinez was taken. I read Martinez his Miranda Warnings off my department -issued Miranda Card. I then at 8:47 am asked Martinez if he would be willing to provide blood , in which he said yes. At 10:52 am, Emergency Department staff member Marguerite D. Kirkman took two vials of blood from Martinez. The blood was taken using the Florida Highway Patrol Blood Withdrawal Checklist (HSMV Form 61308) and properly packaged.
At 8:19 am, Martinez was informed he was being placed under arrest for Fleeing and Eluding (Lights and Sirens). At 8:45 am, Martinez was informed he was being placed under arrest for driving under the influence.
Martinez was cleared for jail at 12:40 pm and transported to Collier County Jail. The blood was submitted to evidence at the Fort Myers Station. All above events occurred in Lee and Collier County.
Thank you, Channel Members!
Rob Metcalf @RobMetcalf-l9j
Gary Skeers @GarySkeers
Sue Cassiday-Lemke @suecassiday-lemke260
Lynn Boyer @lynnboyer6643
Moggie Hendry @MoggieHendry
Steven Pepin @stevepepin74
Richard McCauley @richardmccauley6254
Michael Bernard @firemnwnb
Edie Morgan @ediemorgan8968
DONALD BAUER @DONALDBAUER-p6i
Chuck Cooper @ChuckCooper-z3r
Michael Meyer @michaelmeyer9665
Ubi DaCosta @ubidacosta3317
Franklin Dumoulin @franklindumoulin8899
WREM970 @wrem9706
Corner Office @corneroffice06
#fhp #pitmaneuver #highspeedchase