MIAMI – A high-speed chase on the Dolphin Expressway early Sunday morning ended with a PIT maneuver and a large drug bust, the Florida Highway Patrol confirmed Tuesday.
Authorities said a white Chevy Trax was observed speeding eastbound on the Dolphins Expressway, passing Northwest 107th Avenue, and weaving through traffic at a high rate of speed just after 6:30 p.m.
According to investigators, the driver was seen maneuvering dangerously between lanes, “showing a willful disregard for the safety of others on the road.”
FHP said troopers began following the vehicle from behind at 91 mph and initiated a traffic stop by activating emergency lights and sirens.
Body camera video from an FHP trooper shows the driver of the Chevy pulling over to the left shoulder near Northwest 87th Avenue.
As troopers approached, the driver, who they identified as 28-year-old Shawn Anthony Guerra-Chung, of Miami, was seen shuffling with an unknown item on the rear right floorboard.
When asked about the reason for the stop, Guerra-Chung told troopers he was in a hurry.
Authorities said while standing outside the car, troopers detected a strong odor of burnt marijuana and noticed a smoked blunt in the driver’s left ear.
Guerra-Chung claimed to have a medical marijuana card, though it was not in his possession, and initially denied having any more marijuana in the vehicle. He also denied having any other drugs such as cocaine or hemp, according to his arrest report.
Troopers said they spotted a green backpack on the rear right floorboard, the same area where Guerra-Chung had been seen shuffling earlier. Guerra-Chung was ordered to exit the vehicle for a probable cause search, but he refused, stating he did not consent to a search and requested a supervisor.
After several lawful commands to step out of the vehicle were ignored, Guerra-Chung put the vehicle in drive and attempted to flee, the report stated.
Video shows troopers pursuing the vehicle as it sped through the right lane and shoulder before moving to the left lane and shoulder. Troopers successfully executed a precision immobilization technique maneuver, bringing the vehicle to a stop on the left shoulder.
Shortly after, they removed Guerra-Chung from the car and took him into custody.
Troopers said they couldn’t find the backpack when they searched the vehicle.
They put out an alert and were able to find it on the right shoulder of the highway, just west of the initial traffic stop location.
Authorities said after searching the backpack, troopers discovered a pink tube with two clear zip-lock bags containing cocaine, a small amount of marijuana in a clear plastic bag and more bagged marijuana in a blue bag.
Additionally, they said they found a pink zip-lock bag with a clear bag inside containing cocaine, two white bottles with alprazolam — also known as Xanax — and a pill bottle with its original label removed.
A total of 959 alprazolam pills, 24 grams of marijuana, and 28 grams of cocaine were recovered from the backpack, authorities confirmed.
Investigators said they read Guerra-Chung his Miranda rights and he agreed to speak with them, stating he fled because he was scared and denied ownership of the backpack.
He was transported to Jackson West Medical Center for medical clearance before being booked at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center.
Jail records show Guerra-Chung is facing one count each of possession of cocaine with intent to sell or conspire, possession of a controlled substance 10 grams or more, fleeing or eluding a police officer and resisting arrest without violence.
As of Tuesday, he remains at TGK, where his bond has not yet been determined.