High Speed Chase Ends With Arrest For DeLand Man

Posted
DeLand, FL - A DeLand man who reached up to 120 miles an hour in his ex-girlfriend's car while trying to flee from Volusia County deputies is now in custody. The Sheriff's Office arrested 42-year-old Darrian Miler on eight charges, most of them felonies. They include carjacking, kidnapping, false imprisonment, robbery, witness tampering, battery, fleeing from law enforcement and driving with a suspended license. VCSO spokesperson Andrew Gant says it all started last night at the Family Food Market at 1104 West Euclid Avenue in DeLand. "Deputies responded around 9 p.m. to a report of an abduction," Gant added. "The victim told deputies her ex-boyfriend [Miler] had demanded she drive him somewhere. She did, but when they arrived in the 600 block of Margaret Street, he demanded she get out of the car." When she refused, Miler got out of the car, walked to the driver's side door and attacked his ex, punching her several times and taking her cell phone, bank card and money, according to Gant. "Then he forced her into the trunk, punching her several more times, and closed the lid," Gant stated. "The victim used the trunk release to open the lid and scream for help." Miler's ex managed to escape and run towards the food market when he got distracted by residents in the area who came to see what was going on, per Gant. "Responding deputies immediately noticed her face was swollen, her shirt was covered in blood and its neck had been ripped," Gant said. "But Miler had already fled the area in the victim’s vehicle." Daytona Beach police officers tracked that vehicle down just after midnight in the area of Champions Gate Drive and LPGA Boulevard. That's when Miler took off towards DeLand on US 92 as VCSO joined the chase with help from DeLand police. Miler's run came to an end after VCSO used stop sticks on the vehicle, eventually leading him to surrender near a home on the 1800 block of Julie Avenue in DeLand. Gant says no shots were fired at any time, even though initial reports indicated that was the case. "It should be noted VCSO was alerted to the stolen vehicle’s location thanks to license plate reader technology," Gant added. Miler was taken to Florida Hospital DeLand after complaining to deputies that he had back pain. He was then taken to Volusia County Jail, where he's held without bond. VCJ records show Miler's been booked at least 9 other times since 2001.

Darrian Miler