A 23-year-old Virginia man is facing nine criminal charges — including three felonies — after leading police on a dangerous high-speed chase through the Florida Keys that ended with a crash involving a trailered boat.
According to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO), Christopher Brinkley Smithers, identified as an artist from Great Falls, Virginia, was arrested Tuesday, Nov. 4, following the multi-agency pursuit. His charges include hit-and-run, fleeing and eluding police, DUI, and drug possession.
The chase began around 4:40 p.m. near Mile Marker 102 on U.S. Route 1 when deputies attempted to stop Smithers’ southbound Range Rover SUV for reckless driving. Instead of complying, Smithers sped off, prompting a pursuit involving multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Florida Highway Patrol.
The chase came to an end near Founders Park in Islamorada, where Smithers’ SUV crashed into a center console boat hitched to a pickup truck. Fortunately, there were no major injuries, according to MCSO.
Smithers is currently in custody, and his arraignment is scheduled for December 2, the Sheriff’s Office confirmed.
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