MEDIA RELEASE
Date: April 9, 2011
Time: 8:30 AM
On April 7, 2011 a Department of Agriculture Law Enforcement Officer stopped a vehicle in Goethe Forest on Old Rock Road. Upon stopping the Mazda truck he made contact with the driver of the vehicle and obtained his drivers license. When the Police Officer walked back to his patrol vehicle to check to see if the driver had any warrants the driver sped off and a pursuit ensued. During the pursuit the driver which was the only person in the vehicle swerved off the road and was observed reaching for what the Officer thought may be a weapon.
The Department of Agriculture Officer called for assistance and several Levy County Deputies responded to the scene which was in the area of CR-336 and Cr-337. Several commands were given but the driver did not respond. Deputies approached the vehicle and secured the scene. The 30 year old Dunnellon man had what appeared to be one gunshot wound that is believed to be self inflicted.
The Levy County Sheriff's Office Investigation Unit responded and assumed command in the investigation. It is unknown why the Dunnellon man sped off but the investigation revealed that he a suspended license and had a child support warrant out of Marion County.
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Major Evan Sullivan
Levy County Sheriff's Office
FBI-National Academy 183rd Session
Office: 352-486-5446
Cell: 352-577-4218