Troopers from the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) continue investigating a crash at approximately 12:28 p.m. on Tuesday, February 13, 2024.
While on regular patrol in a marked FHP patrol vehicle, the trooper observed a white motorcycle traveling south on the inside lane of US-19 and State Road 580 (Main Street) without a license plate. The officer attempted to catch up to verify the absence of a license plate. The motorcycle accelerated rapidly and changed lanes to evade the trooper, who then activated his emergency equipment (lights and sirens).
According to the arrest documentation, despite the pursuit, the motorcyclist continued to travel at high speed, exceeding 100 MPH, and changed lanes recklessly. Eventually, the motorcyclist exited US-19 onto Drew St. Approaching a red light at an intersection, the driver refused to stop, entered the intersection without yielding, and collided with an SUV. The motorcyclist fell off the motorcycle and landed in the left turn lane of eastbound Drew Street.
Emergency Medical Services transported the motorcyclist to the trauma center at Bayfront Health St. Petersburg. The trooper relayed the motorcycle’s VIN number to dispatch, which returned to a black Yamaha motorcycle with no assigned registration.
The driver, 24-year-old Justin Stefke of Largo, possessed only an ID card, lacked a motorcycle endorsement, and had a suspended license for habitual traffic offenses since March 1, 2023.
At approximately 2:20 p.m., Stefke was arrested, and the charges were communicated to him.
Stefke has been charged with
- Aggravated Fleeing & Eluding
- Flee or Elude (High Speed/Wanton Disregard)
- Habitual Offender
- Operating a Motorcycle without Endorsement
- Operating an Unregistered Motor Vehicle
Attached is the Florida Statute that defines a Habitual Traffic Offender
322.264 “Habitual traffic offender” defined.—A “habitual traffic offender” is any person whose record, as maintained by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, shows that such person has accumulated the specified number of convictions for offenses described in subsection (1) or subsection (2) within a 5-year period:
(1) Three or more convictions of any one or more of the following offenses arising out of separate acts:
(a) Voluntary or involuntary manslaughter resulting from the operation of a motor vehicle;
(b) Any violation of s. 316.193, former s. 316.1931, or former s. 860.01;
(c) Any felony in the commission of which a motor vehicle is used;
(d) Driving a motor vehicle while his or her license is suspended or revoked;
(e) Failing to stop and render aid as required under the laws of this state in the event of a motor vehicle crash resulting in the death or personal injury of another; or
(f) Driving a commercial motor vehicle while his or her privilege is disqualified.
(2) Fifteen convictions for moving traffic offenses for which points may be assessed as set forth in s. 322.27, including those offenses in subsection (1).