At approximately 7:02 PM on August 18, 2024, a Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) Trooper observed the driver of a black Mercedes driving recklessly near Gulf to Bay Boulevard. The vehicle was seen leaving a parking lot at 2815 Gulf to Bay Boulevard, crossing all eastbound lanes, and making a sharp left turn into the rightmost westbound lane at a high rate of speed. The vehicle’s actions caused its tires to spin and the car to fishtail, endangering nearby property and people.
The trooper attempted a traffic stop, but the driver of the Mercedes fled, initiating a short pursuit. The chase ended when the Mercedes crashed. After the crash, the driver, later identified as 25-year-old Carlos Simon Donu, attempted to deceive law enforcement by jumping into the back seat of the vehicle and denying that he had been driving.
Further investigation, including video footage from the patrol car, confirmed that Donu was the driver at the time of the incident. A check through the Florida Crime Information Center/National Crime Information Center (FCIC/NCIC) revealed that Donu did not possess a valid driver’s license and had a history of suspensions, including one for Driving While License Suspended or Revoked (DWLSR) and multiple suspensions for failing to pay criminal fines.
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A check of the vehicle’s tag revealed that it was assigned to a different car.
Donu was taken into custody and now faces multiple charges, including
- Fleeing and Eluding
- Operating an unregistered motor vehicle
- Resisting an officer without violence
- Driving while driver’s license is suspended/revoked
- Tag not assigned
- Reckless Driving
The investigation is ongoing.