POLK COUNTY, Fla. - A late-night patrol took a turn for the chaotic early Saturday when a driver attempted to outrun a deputy, only to end the chase himself by driving straight into a deep ditch.
Around 1:38 a.m. on November 23, a Polk County Sheriff's deputy was patrolling near Rifle Range Road when he spotted a gold Toyota sedan with New Jersey plates. The deputy watched as the driver made an abrupt, unsignaled turn onto 7th Terrace Way.
When the deputy activated his emergency lights to initiate a traffic stop, the driver refused to pull over. Instead, the Toyota sped up, blowing through a stop sign in an attempt to get away.
The chase didn't last long. After making another sharp turn, the driver lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a ditch at Avenue A. The deputy reported that the driver attempted to free the vehicle from the mud but was unable to get it unstuck.
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Deputies moved in and detained the driver, identified as 32-year-old Michael Douglas Mosquera Cornejo of Lake Wales.
During the investigation, deputies discovered that Mosquera Cornejo was driving on a license that had expired back in November 2023. The vehicle also lacked the required insurance. While he didn't have valid documentation, a search revealed he was in possession of marijuana.
Mosquera Cornejo was arrested and transported to the Sheriff's Processing Center. He faces multiple charges, including fleeing to elude, resisting without violence, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving with a license expired for more than six months, and failure to maintain required insurance.
He was also cited for careless driving, inoperable tag lights, and having an expired registration.
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