110 mph-plus chase ends after Fort Pierce driver’s car goes airborne in Martin

FORT PIERCE, Fla. - A Fort Pierce man accused of fleeing deputies at speeds greater than 110 mph was arrested after launching his vehicle about 15 feet in the air and after being found with drugs and a loaded handgun, according to an affidavit released Monday.

Michael Odis Lloyd, 30, faces charges including aggravated fleeing and eluding, carrying a concealed firearm, leaving the scene of a crash, driving on a suspended license and two counts of possession of a controlled substance following the incidents.

A Martin County Sheriff’s Office deputy about 12:15 a.m. Monday saw a red vehicle traveling south on U.S. 1 at Jensen Beach Boulevard. The vehicle’s horn sounded and it nearly ran a red light.

The vehicle passed the deputy, who noticed it had difficulty staying in the same lane. The vehicle repeatedly accelerated to 65 mph and slowed to 35 mph.

The deputy stopped the vehicle near U.S. 1 and Palm City Road. The driver, later identified as Lloyd, was trying to light a cigar with his left hand and had his right hand inside his jacket. An affidavit states Lloyd refused repeated requests to show his hands as the deputy called for an additional deputy.

The additional deputy showed up, and Lloyd reportedly drove off, eventually traveling south on U.S. 1 at speeds in excess of 110 mph — nearly triple the posted speed limit.

Sparks came out from under Lloyd’s vehicle at points and a deputy reported the driver appeared to be having difficulty keeping control. The vehicle nearly collided with another in the area of Southeast Luckhardt Street before it swerved to the east and jumped a curb.

“The vehicle went into the ditch to the east where it struck the concrete drain and used it as a ramp,” an affidavit states. “The vehicle launched approximately 15 feet in the air landing near a utility pole guide wire just south of Fischer Street.”

The vehicle finally stopped, and the driver, Lloyd, was found with blood on his face and looked to be “out of it.”

Investigators turned up alprazolam, oxycodone and a loaded .380 caliber pistol.

Lloyd’s driver’s license from North Carolina is suspended and he also has a statutory rape warrant out of North Carolina.

Lloyd, who had “track marks” on his arms, was taken to Martin Memorial Hospital South for crash-related injuries, according to the affidavit.

Lloyd, of the 2400 block of South Ocean Drive in Fort Pierce, then was taken to the Martin County jail.

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