Florida Keys Pursuit Ends with Driver Jumping Into Ocean, Sheriff’s Office Says

MONROE COUNTY, Fla. — A high-speed chase in the Florida Keys ended dramatically when a man jumped into the ocean to evade deputies after his tires were disabled by a spike strip, according to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office.

Joshua Derek Guajardo, 40, was driving a Chevy Tahoe at speeds up to 80 mph in a 55-mph zone, weaving through traffic and nearly colliding with a patrol car. Deputies first attempted to stop him near mile marker 65 in Islamorada. Following sheriff’s office policy, spike strips were deployed at mile markers 68 and 69, flattening Guajardo’s tires. The vehicle came to a stop about a mile later.

Guajardo fled into the mangroves on the oceanside of U.S. 1. Deputies and Florida Highway Patrol officers shut down the highway in both directions after observing what appeared to be a weapon in his hand. He was later retrieved from the water unharmed, and no weapon was found.

Guajardo was booked into the county jail on charges of driving under the influence, fleeing and eluding, and driving with a suspended license. Additional charges are possible, and bond had not yet been set.

The pursuit involved multiple agencies, including the Florida Highway Patrol, U.S. Coast Guard, Customs and Border Protection’s Air and Marine Operations, and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers.

This article has been carefully fact-checked by our editorial team to ensure accuracy and eliminate any misleading information. We are committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity in our content.