INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — A man and woman were jailed following a high-speed deputy chase, where officers later found cocaine and fentanyl in a sedan.
William Lenard Watson
PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY INDIAN RIVER COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
The driver, William Lenard Watson, crashed the silver Kia sedan into a fence at a residence before he and passenger Angela Duke ran from the vehicle, reports show. Duke surrendered to deputies while Watson ran into the home.
Deputies on Friday arrested Watson, of the 1200 block of 12th Court, Vero Beach, on a variety of charges including aggravated fleeing and eluding, reckless driving, driving while license suspended, resisting arrest without violence, possession of cocaine and possession of fentanyl. Duke, of Fort Pierce, was charged with resisting arrest without violence.
Watson was held Wednesday at the Indian River County Jail without bond. Duke was held on $500 bond.
Angela Duke
PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY INDIAN RIVER COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
Watson was already out on bond for several drug offenses stemming from a June 2020 narcotics probe. The charges include two counts of sale of cocaine within 1,000 feet of a school, sale of heroin within 1,000 feet of a school, sale of buprenorphine within 1,000 feet of a school, two counts of possession of cocaine, possession of heroin and possession of buprenorphine.
Deputies targeted Watson again after learning he continued to sell drugs on the streets, reports show. Deputies saw Watson get into the Kia about 11 p.m. Friday near 8th Street and U.S. 1.
Deputies tried to conduct a traffic stop on the Kia. Then, Watson accelerated on southbound U.S. 1, turned onto westbound 1st Street and drove in the eastbound lanes.
Deputies stopped following Watson, noting his disregard for public safety, reports show. When Watson reached Old Dixie Highway, he was traveling at 66 mph in a 35 mph zone, deputies said.
A sheriff’s helicopter tracked Watson’s Kia as the vehicle struck a fence at a home in the 600 block of 5th Place Southwest. Deputies said Watson and Duke ran from the Kia.
Deputies detained the pair and searched the Kia.
Inside, deputies found a clear plastic bag with a white powdery substance that tested positive for cocaine, reports show. Deputies also found a clear capsule with a brown powder substance that tested positive for fentanyl.
Deputies arrested Watson and Duke. Watson has an arraignment at 8:45 a.m. May 21, while Duke has an arraignment at 8:30 a.m. May 11, court records show.
