A 22-year-old woman is in jail after leading deputies on a chase through three jurisdictions, as a traffic stop was being initiated for speeding. After employing a special maneuver to stop the vehicle, deputies discovered five juveniles inside the car.
Deputies attempted to stop a vehicle for speeding on Friday night around 11:41 pm on Apopka Boulevard and Overland Road. The vehicle, driven by Dionne S. Hughley, 22 years, ignored the traffic stop and sped away. Deputies initiated a pursuit of Hughley’s vehicle which traversed through Apopka, Ocoee and Winter Garden, at times driving recklessly and traveling at high speeds of 80 mph, through several red lights.
A deputy certified in the Pursuit Intervention Technique (PIT maneuver) was able to strategically position his marked patrol car and stop the fleeing vehicle on Fuller Cross Road.
Deputies said that once Hughley’s vehicle was stopped, it turned out that there were five juveniles inside ranges in ages from 17 years to 10. Deputies were unaware of their presence until the vehicle came to rest. While there were no apparent injuries to the young occupants, the juveniles were transported to the Health Central Hospital for medical clearance and reunited with their parents.
During the pursuit, Hughley’s vehicle crashed into a wooden privacy fence during the PIT maneuver, causing damage.
Hughley was cleared on the scene by Fire and Rescue and transported to the Orange County Jail for processing. She has been charged with several counts, including, reckless driving, aggravated assault on Law Enforcement Officer, fleeing and eluding, several charges of aggravated child abuse, false imprisonment of a child under 13 years, and driving without a registration, among others.
Hughley is reported to be the aunt of several of the children in the vehicle.
While responding to assist with the apprehension of the felony suspect Deputy Mark Freeman’s marked patrol unit was struck by an intoxicated driver at Ocoee-Apopka Road and Keene. Deputy Freeman’s vehicle rolled over on its side and briefly caught fire. Deputy Freeman was able to exit the vehicle. The DUI suspect and Deputy Freeman were transported to Health Central for medical attention for non-life threatening injuries. The Apopka Police Department is working crash and DUI investigation. Deputy Freeman was treated and released.
See Dionne S. Hughley’s Rap Sheet Here.
Hughley has been arrested prior to this incident. She has been previously charged with grand theft, trespassing, providing false identification to law enforcement and driving with a suspended license.
The investigation is continuing.
