Warrant issued for reckless motorcyclist

A 49-year-old Sunrise, Florida man was told he would have a warrant for his arrest after he left Mariners Hospital Saturday after fleeing from police on U.S. 1 in the Upper Keys before slamming into an sport utility vehicle.

Mario Jose Villamar was injured in the crash and taken to Mariners Hospital, otherwise he would have been arrested after the 2:15 p.m. incident in which he passed hundreds of cars illegally on U.S. 1 before crashing to the SUV near the Publix in Islamorada. His warrants will include fleeing an eluding, driving with a suspended license and myriad traffic violations.

Upper Keys Deputy Nick Whiteman was on patrol in Islamorada where southbound traffic had backed up significantly. Sgt. Whiteman spotted about 10 motorcycles passing illegally on the southbound shoulder,  bicycle path or whatever else was available. Sgt. Whiteman followed them and caught up to the pack of motorcycles at roughly Mile Marker 88 where he turned on his lights and sirens. Some of the motorcycle pack turned around and started heading north in an attempt to evade Sgt. Whiteman. Sgt. Whiteman focused on those motorcycles that broke away. The illegal driving continued as the motorcycles ran stop signs and committed other traffic violations. Sgt. Whiteman saw one yellow motorcycle continue south while the remaining group turned off the road. Sgt. Whiteman followed the yellow motorcycle.

Sgt. Whiteman pursued the motorcycle from as the rider continued to the Snake Creek Bridge. Sgt. Whiteman ceased the pursuit given the heavy traffic as the charges facing the suspect did not merit the potential danger to the public. Sgt. Whiteman turned off his lights and sirens when at 2:21 p.m. he was notified a motorcycle had crashed near the Publix. Sgt. Whiteman arrived to find the same yellow motorcycle lying in the road with parts strewn about. The suspect, wearing the same helmet and clothes and the man he was pursuing, was alert, but suffered road rash and injuries to his back. Villamar told Sgt. Whiteman he was speeding and pacing vehicles when the SUV pulled out in front of him, which he broadsided.

There were no other serious injuries reported.

Sgt. Whiteman learned Villamar has a lengthy criminal traffic history out of New York with at least 15 violations for operating a vehicle without insurance, failure to answer a summons and failure to pay a fine.

Sgt. Whiteman went to Mariners Hospital where he informed Villamar he would be going to jail after he was released from the hospital.

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