On March 04, 2024, at approximately 4:41 p.m., I, Trooper Schiera of the Florida Highway Patrol was on patrol, stationary on the paved median of Interstate 75 (SR 93) near MM153, when I noticed a white Dodge Charger traveling northbound with blackedout window tints. I merged onto the inside lane of SR 93 and overtook the vehicle. Once I got behind the vehicle, I attempted to pull it over by activating my emergency equipment. The white Dodge Charger changed lanes from the inside lane to the middle lane and then into the right lane. Once the white Dodge Charger was in the outside lane, I got behind it with my lights activated, and the white Dodge Charger took off at a high rate of speed, going around traffic and taking the CR 762 (Tuckers Grade) exit. I advised the Fort Myers Regional Communications Center (FMRCC) of the white Dodge Charger failing to stop and advised that I was actively pursuing the vehicle.
Once the vehicle exited on Tuckers Grade, Trooper Prosper and I continued behind it. The vehicle went westbound on Tuckers Grade and entered the interstate again, going southbound with speeds of 145mph plus. The vehicle continued southbound on Interstate 75, driving recklessly, going around traffic and passing on the shoulder. Trooper Prosper took primary and got behind the vehicle. While going around traffic, Trooper Prosper was in the outside lane and the white Dodge Charger was in the middle lane, at approximately 120mph. The suspect’s vehicle attempted to go around Trooper Prosper, but both vehicles collided. The collision caused both vehicles to lose control and enter the grass shoulder near MM148.
After the collision, both vehicles continued on the grass shoulder, and eventually, the suspect’s vehicle went into a ditch with water and came to a final rest in approximately 2 feet of water, facing south. Trooper Prosper’s patrol vehicle continued southbound on the grass shoulder and rotated clockwise, eventually coming to a final rest facing northwest. I advised the FMRCC of the vehicle crash while Trooper Prosper and I exited our vehicles and ran over to the suspect’s vehicle with our firearms drawn.
Shortly after instructing the suspects to exit the vehicles, Trooper Prosper and I took two black males into custody. I identified the driver by the photo on FCIC/NCIC records as NAME: TABIAS BERSHARD TRAVIO CODY. The passenger was identified by his Florida identification card as NAME: ROOSEVELT WILLIAMS. Trooper Prosper located the vehicle's keys in Mr. Cody's front shorts pocket. I located a plastic bag with a green leafy substance believed to be marijuana in Mr. Williams' front right pocket. I conducted a field test of the suspected marijuana, and it came back with a presumptive positive result. EMS arrived on the scene to check the driver and passenger, and a tow truck was contacted to tow the suspect’s vehicle and the patrol vehicle. While inventorying the white Dodge Charger, a green leafy substance believed to be marijuana was located along with drug paraphernalia and a loaded handgun in the glove box by the passenger.
Based on the totality of the circumstances and the fact that Tabias Bershard Travio Cody knowingly attempted to evade law enforcement, I arrested Mr. Cody, charging him with knowingly violating F.S.S. 316.1935(4a) for aggravated fleeing with injury or damage, F.S.S. 784.045.1a2 for aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, and F.S.S. 316.192.3a1 for reckless driving causing damage to person or property. I then placed Mr. Cody in the rear of my patrol vehicle. Once in the back of my patrol vehicle, I read Mr. Cody his constitutional Miranda rights from an agencyissued card. Mr. Cody stated he understood his rights.
Mr. Cody was then transported to ShorePoint Hospital in Punta Gorda, Charlotte County, for medical clearance due to being involved in a vehicle crash and then transported to the Charlotte County Jail.
All events happened in Charlotte County and Lee County, Florida.