Two people, a Hilliard man and a woman, were arrested following a high-speed chase on Barnwell Road.
According to the arrest report, the incident began when the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office contacted Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) regarding a possibly stolen pickup truck traveling on SR 200. The pickup was later found to be occupied by Tyler Dyal, 31, and Madison Cooper, 20.
FHP Trooper M. Farris found the pickup at the intersection of 200 and Chester Road. When the trooper activated emergency equipment, the driver of the pickup continued to drive, eventually accelerating through a red traffic light, and the trooper began pursuit.
The FHP report said the car turned onto Mt. Zion Road, where it traveled at speeds approaching 100 mph. The pickup then returned to SR 200 and, from there, to Barnwell Road, traveling at speeds in excess of 100 mph, passing other cars and causing traffic to leave the highway.
The driver rammed the FHP cruiser, but Farris was able to maintain control of his vehicle, and pushed the pickup on the drivers left side. During this time, Dyal exited the pickup and fled on foot, but was apprehended by NCSO officers. Cooper also fled the truck on foot.
Cooper told law enforcement Dyal had forced her to flee, as she was afraid for her physical safety. She said Dyal had “grabbed the steering wheel and steered the vehicle” into the FHP patrol car.
Later, NCSO notified FHP that deputies had found Dyal in the woods behind Lowes, where he was arrested.
A statement from NCSO said they responded to the scene with its K9 unit as well as its drone.
Dyal was charged with grand theft of a motor vehicle, aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer and resisting arrest without violence. He remained lodged in the Nassau County Jail on an $80,008 bond as of press deadline Thursday. Cooper was charged with driving without a driver’s license, resisting law enforcement without violence, grand theft of a motor vehicle, fleeing with disregard of safety of persons or property and aggravated battery of a law enforcement officer. She also remained in custody as of Thursday with an $86,010 bond.
jroberts@fbnewsleader.com