Overview
- Seminole County deputies tried to stop a vehicle in Sanford that they said was linked to suspected drug trafficking, and the driver fled at high speed on Tuesday, July 7.
- Deputies did not pursue on the ground and used the sheriff’s aviation unit to follow the car, which the office says reached speeds over 100 mph at times.
- Minutes after fleeing, the black sedan struck a gray SUV on US 17-92 near Sunnytown Road in Casselberry, causing one vehicle to catch fire and scattering debris across the intersection.
- Casselberry Police identified the two people killed as 42-year-old Christopher Marier and 40-year-old Tyler Marier and said 26-year-old Marquavious Tayvon Wheaton was the operator of the at-fault vehicle and is in custody at a hospital with charges pending.
- Casselberry Police are handling the crash probe while the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office investigates the pre-crash stop and flight, and officials say pending charges could include fleeing and eluding and Florida’s super speeder excessive-speed allegation.