Marcus Griffin : Teen Arrested in Deadly Pursuit, MCSO Reports

STUART, Fla. (CBS12) — Authorities have made an arrest in connection with a high-speed chase that tragically ended in a fatal crash in Martin County. One of the teenagers allegedly involved in the incident has been taken into custody in Palm Beach County.

The Martin County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) announced the arrest on Friday night, revealing that a 15-year-old boy had been apprehended with the assistance of law enforcement in Palm Beach County. The teenager is set to be transported back to Martin County and booked into the local jail.

Reports from the sheriff’s office indicate that the teen is facing warrants for two felony charges related to the possession of stolen credit cards and personal identification information. The severity of the charges has been heightened to second-degree felony status due to the alleged presence of a ski mask during the incident.

This teenager was one of the survivors of the crash that unfolded in Stuart earlier in the week. The sheriff’s office had previously noted that one of the suspects seen returning to shore following the crash was wearing a ski mask. Tragically, three other teenagers lost their lives in the aftermath of the collision.

Details of the Fatal Pursuit

Prior to the crash, the vehicle involved, a Mazda, was recorded travelling at speeds of approximately 110 mph as it attempted to evade pursuing deputies. Law enforcement refrained from activating their emergency lights until it was necessary to alert oncoming traffic about the stolen vehicle travelling in the wrong direction on Southwest Martin Highway.

As the pursuit progressed onto Southwest Gaines Avenue, deputies deployed a tire deflation device in an effort to immobilize the car. Despite these efforts, the vehicle continued through an intersection, mounted a curb, and eventually plunged into the water near the intersection of South Kanner Highway and Southeast Cove Road.

Victims of the Tragic Incident

The 17-year-old victim whose body was located on the day of the crash has been identified as Marcus Griffin from Lake Worth. Subsequent investigations led to the identification of the other two deceased individuals as Geovany Alexis, 18, and Jerry Choisy, 19.

The aftermath of this devastating incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers associated with reckless driving and criminal behaviour. Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the pursuit and subsequent crash as they work to bring closure to the families affected by this tragedy.