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.
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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
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The investigation is ongoing.