Columbia County, Florida – A 102 mph pursuit ended in arrest and drug charges Tuesday night.
According to the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, Deputy Sweat was conducting traffic enforcement around 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, February 10, 2026, near CR-131 (SW Tustenuggee Avenue) and SW Cumorah Hill when a silver Chevy Traverse allegedly failed to stop at a posted stop sign.
Deputies said the driver accelerated despite activated lights and sirens, reaching a radar-confirmed speed of 102 mph. The pursuit continued northbound on CR-131 at speeds near 100 mph.
Authorities said Deputy Lorton successfully deployed spike strips at the intersection of CR-131 and SW Bedenbaugh Lane, slowing the vehicle. The driver continued briefly before Deputy Sweat performed a PIT maneuver near CR-131 just south of CR-242A, bringing the vehicle to a stop.
The driver, identified as Jeffery Allen Steele, 44, of Wellborn, allegedly refused commands to exit the vehicle. Officials said K-9 Kaiju was deployed, and Steele was taken into custody.
According to the sheriff’s office, deputies located multiple narcotics and drug paraphernalia during a search of the vehicle.
Steele was medically cleared at HCA Hospital before being transported to the Columbia County Detention Facility. He was booked on a $32,000 bond.
Charges include fleeing and eluding law enforcement with high speed (FSS 316.1935.2), dangerous speeding 50 mph or more over the limit, driving while license suspended or revoked (third or more offense), obstruction without violence, attached tag not assigned, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of a controlled substance.
CR-131 is a key route for commuters and student drivers in the area, frequently used during evening travel hours.
The investigation remains ongoing, according to CCSO.
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