Runners in last Sunday’s annual Islamorada 10k and half marathon set out from La Siesta Resort & Villas on a scenic course, witnessing picturesque views of a sunrise over the Keys waters. But they also served as witness to a tense few moments when a vehicle with blown-out tires screamed up U.S. 1 with law enforcement roaring right behind.
A wild car chase spanning 44 miles and roughly an hour ended only after the vehicle crashed not far from the race course.
Runners took their mark in Islamorada at 7 a.m. as they trekked south to Lower Matecumbe and back to La Siesta. By 8 a.m., Florida Highway Troopers were alerted when Corporal Ray Estavillo saw a gray Chevy Suburban traveling north in the southbound lanes of U.S. 1 at high speed at MM 36 on Big Pine Key. The vehicle traveled past Estavillo, who did a U-turn to begin pursuit alongside another trooper.
According to an arrest affidavit, the motorist, later identified as 42-year-old Courtney Epps, was traveling at 110 mph as she continued up the Keys. Epps continued onto the Seven Mile Bridge and into Marathon as troopers say she reached speeds between 90 mph and 120 mph. Troopers say Epps drove northbound in the southbound lane at MM 54 at about 100 mph.
Troopers received some assistance from the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, which set spike strips at MM 60. The attempt was unsuccessful, however, as Epps continued north to Islamorada in “the same aggressively reckless manner,” according to the arrest report. Sheriff’s deputies placed more spikes, this time at the north end of Channel 5 Bridge at MM 71. Three tires popped as Epps traveled over the spikes, but she continued on and approached marathon runners. The three spiked tires began to fall off one-by-one as Epps continued at high speed past the runners.
Eli Bailin, race director, said he received a call from Capt. Derek Paul about the chase that was unfolding in Marathon. Bailin said he quickly communicated with race officials and those handing out water on the course. Not 10 minutes later, the chase flew past runners.
“It could have been an absolute disaster, but now because of what happened there’s an unbelievable story for runners to tell,” he said.
Eventually, the vehicle lost control and left the road onto the southbound shoulder of U.S. 1 into a Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority construction site at MM 80. Epps’ vehicle hit a barrier and continued until it struck a tree and construction material and came to rest. Epps was arrested.
Epps, of South Carolina, was examined at Mariners Hospital, where troopers say she was singing gospel songs loudly. She was then taken to the sheriff’s substation on Plantation Key where she was given a standardized field sobriety test. Epps reportedly declined a urine test and refused to complete the field sobriety test and examination by a drug recognition expert. She was then taken to the Plantation Key Detention Center.
Epps is facing a felony count of fleeing and eluding law enforcement. She also faces charges of reckless driving, driving under the influence and three counts of aggressive DUI property damage.
