Jason Futch reporter2.riverbendnews@gmail.com
A Lake City man allegedly decided to ring in the new year with a high-speed police chase through Suwannee County’s backroads. On Wednesday, Jan. 1, at approximately 11:26 p.m., Suwannee County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) Deputy Shelby Hayes was patrolling 216th Street in Suwannee County when a 1997 Ford Mercury was observed exceeding the posted speed limit. Deputy Hayes clocked the vehicle going 80 miles per hour in a 45-mile-per-hour speed zone. While attempting to make a traffic stop on the driver, later identified as 34-year-old Vincent Warren Lahey of Lake City, the vehicle continued driving west on 216th Street, driving in excess of the speed limit. At one point, the car approached 100 miles per hour before turning left onto 57th Drive. The vehicle reportedly continued to speed on 57th Drive, reaching speeds of nearly 90 miles per hour before running the stop sign at the 232nd Street and County Road 49 intersection. Lahey turned south on 93rd Drive and continued driving at a high rate of speed before moving onto the shoulder of the road. The thick sand prohibited Lahey from continuing further, allowing Deputy Hayes to stop beside Lahey’s vehicle and demand that he show his hands. Lahey was removed from the car and was placed under arrest for fleeing and eluding while lights and sirens were activated, as well as resisting arrest and driving with a suspended license. Lahey’s vehicle was taken into evidence and was searched, which revealed a Taurus 9 millimeter pistol under the driver seat. The gun was placed into evidence, and Lahey was additionally charged with possession of a firearm while in the commission of a felony.