A 42-year-old man was jailed after deputies said he led law enforcement on a two-county, high-speed chase, including in a local school zone.
Michael Paul Stanislawczyk
PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY INDIAN RIVER COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
Indian River deputies arrested Michael Paul Stanislawczyk, of the 1900 block of 21st Avenue, Vero Beach, on charges of aggravated fleeing and eluding and reckless driving. Stanislawczyk was released Wednesday from the Indian River County Jail on $11,500 bond.
Deputies said the chase started in St. Lucie County and ended in Indian River County. The St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office is also planning to charge Stanislawczyk with fleeing and eluding.
Officials did not release a reason for the erratic driving. Deputies said Stanislawczyk told them he “was not stopping until he spoke to his pastor,” but further details on the statement weren’t released.
Indian River deputies were notified about 1 p.m. Tuesday of a reckless vehicle in St. Lucie County. St. Lucie deputies tried to stop the black Cadillac sedan in Port St. Lucie, and then again in Fort Pierce, but were unsuccessful both times, reports show.
St. Lucie deputies stopped pursuing the sedan as it continued northbound into Indian River County. Indian River deputies followed the vehicle and activated their emergency lights.
The driver, later identified as Stanislawczyk, failed to stop and sped through a red light at Oslo Road and U.S. 1, reports show. Deputies said Stanislawczyk drove west and ran three more lights, nearly striking other vehicles.
Stanislawczyk reached 80 mph in a 35 mph zone, deputies said. Stanislawcyzk sped past the school zone at Vero Beach Elementary, reports show.
Deputies tried to disable the vehicle by tossing stop sticks on the road, but were unsuccessful, reports show. Deputies also tried to bump the rear of the sedan, which had no effect.
Stanislawczyk eventually stopped at 21st Avenue near 19th Street in Vero Beach.
Deputies arrested Stanislawczyk and booked him into the county jail. Stanislawczyk has an arraignment at 8:45 a.m. June 18, court records show.
