Fleeing Driver in Tarpon Springs Caught After Hit-and-Run Crash Tuesday Afternoon
Posted: April 11, 2017 – 8:30 p.m.
Tarpon Spring Police arrested 44 year-old Christopher Charles Milland of Hudson on Tuesday, April 11, 2017.
At approximately 4:58 pm, Tarpon Springs Police Detective Derek Anderson attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a vehicle for a traffic infraction in the area of Tarpon Ave and Ring Ave.
The vehicle was a 2014 red Mitsubishi which was heading east on Tarpon Ave when Det. Anderson activated his emergency lights and siren of his unmarked police SUV . The suspect vehicle made an abrupt turn onto Grosse Ave then after failing to stop at a stop sign at Lemmon St continued south then turning east onto Lime St.
At this point due to the speeds of the vehicle and running stop signs in a neighborhood, Det. Anderson terminated the attempt to stop the vehicle, calling this out over the radio and advising the direction of travel of the vehicle eastbound on Lime St at a high rate of speed.
A few blocks away from this location the suspect vehicle attempted to gain access onto US 19 at Lime St southbound where he struck the back right quarter panel and tire of a black 2006 Toyota Highlander that was traveling in the southbound lane. This impact caused the Toyota to flip onto its side, and the red Mitsubishi fled the scene continuing south on US 19, and was observed turning westbound onto Klosterman Rd.
The passenger of the Toyota was taken to Florida Hospital North Pinellas with minor injuries, the driver sustained minor injuries but was not transported. US 19 southbound was closed for approximately 20 minutes from Tarpon Ave to MLK until the roadway could be cleared.
While officers attended to the accident scene, others were searching for the suspect vehicle. Det. Anderson was driving down Carolina Ave off of Klosterman Rd., at approximately 5:21 pm, when he observed the vehicle stopped in a grassy area near the house located at 1982 Carolina Ave. The vehicle was still running,; and as he approached he could see the heavily damaged vehicle was occupied. He ordered the driver and sole occupant, later identified as Christopher Millard, out of the vehicle, and the suspect failed
to listen to these commands. Det Anderson opened the vehicle door and began to attempt to remove the suspect from the vehicle when the suspect became physically combative. During the altercation, Det Anderson deployed his Taser which gained initial compliance with the suspect, advising “I’m done”. However, when Det. Anderson again attempted to escort the suspect out of the vehicle, Milland continued his violent resistance toward the officer, who continued to struggle with Milland until a backup unit arrived. At that time, the suspect was able to be placed into handcuffs.
The suspect is being treated at Florida Hospital North Pinellas for injuries
sustained during these events.
Milland is facing the following charges:Â Aggravated Fleeing to Elude, Reckless Driving, Leaving the scene of accident with injuries, Battery on LEO, Resisting arrest with violence, DWLSR, Warrant for Fleeing to Elude (Pasco County), additional charges may be forthcoming pending further investigation.
Milland has had multiple arrests in many of the surrounding counties and was sentenced to serve 5 years in the Florida Department of Corrections back in 2005