Fleeing motorist arrested after tires spiked

A 35-year-old New York man was arrested at approximately 11:25 a.m. Tuesday by Lower Keys Deputies in a chase that began in Key West with Key West Police Officers.

There were no reported injuries.

Vitallii Kovalev, 35, formerly of Germany, was charged with fleeing and eluding, obstructing justice and reckless driving.

The pursuit began at 11:10 a.m. when Key West Police attempted to perform a traffic stop on a white, rental, 2020 Ford Mustang on Flagler Avenue that was being driven recklessly. The Mustang left Key West northbound on U.S. 1 reaching speeds of 86 as it passed Stock Island, Boca Chica, Rockland, Big Coppitt and Shark Keys. The Florida Highway Patrol and the U.S. Border Patrol joined the pursuit. The Mustang passed vehicles illegally multiple times, weaving from lane to lane and at one point illegally passed a marked Sheriff’s Office SUV.

Tire spikes were successfully deployed at Mile Marker 21. The Mustang eventually lost a rear and a front tire. Kovalev began losing control of the Mustang as he passed Spanish Main Drive on Cudjoe Key before finally losing control near the Kemp Channel bridge.

Kovalev was taken into custody after crashing on the bridge. He stated he was late for a flight at the Miami airport.

There were no other vehicles reportedly involved.

Kovalev was in the sally port prior to entering the jail when he stated he was or once was COVID-19 positive.

Kovalev was taken to the hospital and once cleared at the hospital, Kovalev will be detained in one of the jail’s negative pressure cells apart from the general jail population.

All detainees entering the jail are screened for COVID-19 prior to entering the facility. All detainees as well as Deputies and civilian employees are required to wear masks in the facility.

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