Palm Coast, FL - A 19-year-old Palm Coast man caused a lot of damage to several vehicles and almost hit a Flagler County Sheirff motorcycle deputy while trying to get away. Christian Melendez was in a Ford Mustang and stopped diagonally on Belle Terre Parkway Sunday afternoon, March 10th around 3 p.m.
When a deputy approached the vehicle, Melendez took off, traveling at inconsistent speeds and failing to maintain a single lane. The deputy attempted a traffic stop but Melendez fled the area. A silver object was thrown from the car. It was later located and found to be a handgun.
Deputies were able to track Melendez' car without pursuing him, through Palm Coast where he crashed into several vehicles and eventually lost the rear bumper in the southbound lanes of I-95.
FCSO was able to give a description of Melendez without knowing who he was. That information was passed on to the Volusia County Sheriff's Office as the vehicle was last seen headed into Volusia County. VCSO found the abandoned vehicle in an apartment complex near the I-95 and Beville Road exit. Numerous narcotics were observed inside the car as it was impounded for evidence.
The FCSO deputy who gave Melendez' description to VCSO positively identified him a photo array. Melendez was captured by FCSO on Thursday afternoon and taken into custody. He is facing numerous charges: Aggravated Fleeing with Injury or Damage, Leaving the Scene of a Crash with Injury, and Leaving the Scene of a Crash with Property Damage.
Melendez is in the Flagler County Jail, with bond set at $35,500. Sheriff Rick Staly said, "Due to his actions, he put many lives in danger and caused damage to munerous vehicles. Now he is back at the Green Roof Inn, unfortunately a place very familiar to him.
Melendez has multiple arrests on numerous charges.
