In a proactive move to curb illegal street racing, a deputy from the Collier County Sheriff’s Office arrested a 21-year-old driver and a 20-year-old woman last night. Jonathan Alexander Rivera is currently in Collier County jail, facing charges of street racing, fleeing and eluding, and resisting arrest.
Around 10 p.m., a deputy in an unmarked patrol car was traveling on U.S. 41 East near Johns Street when he noticed a dark-colored truck and a dark-colored sedan speeding from behind. The vehicles appeared to be racing, passing the deputy at speeds exceeding 100 mph. Sheriff Kevin Rambosk emphasized the seriousness of the offense, stating, “Street racing is illegal and extremely dangerous. If you’re caught street racing in Collier County, you will be arrested and go to jail.”
Upon spotting the racers, the deputy activated his emergency lights and pursued the speeding vehicles. The truck immediately pulled over, but Rivera, driving the sedan, accelerated further, extinguished all vehicle lights, and continued to ignore the deputy’s lights and sirens. The chase ended as Rivera turned onto Barefoot Williams Road, entering a residential area where the deputy deemed it too risky to continue the pursuit.
Shortly afterward, Rivera was located hiding in nearby woods and was taken into custody. A 20-year-old woman, who witnesses saw walking away from the sedan with Rivera and who fled from deputies, was also arrested and charged with resisting arrest.