On July 8, 2026, just before 7:30 p.m., an St. Johns County Sheriff's Office deputy who stopped at the Circle K gas station on SR 16 and Masters Drive, was notified by a business employee about a suspicious individual in a black Tesla. When the deputy walked up to the vehicle to make contact with the subject, the driver exited the parking lot at a high rate of speed. The deputy reported the reckless driver over the radio to nearby units. As the Tesla traveled eastbound on SR 16, it struck an individual on a motorized scooter. With complete disregard to public safety, the driver continued traveling towards the intersection of SR 16 and US-1, where he passed a second SJSO deputy. Once that deputy had a visual on the Tesla, the deputy activated the emergency lights to safely u-turn at the railroad tracks. Just seconds later, the Tesla struck a pole, traveled across all lanes of US-1 and into the parking lot of the Flagler Inn, where it overturned. The crash occurred before the deputy had time to initiate a traffic stop. Deputies arrived on scene immediately due to the information about a reckless driver in the area. Law enforcement was not in pursuit of the black Tesla and the chain of events was captured on the deputy's dashboard camera. The driver of the motorized scooter was pronounced deceased on scene and the driver of the Tesla was transported to the hospital with serious injuries. The crash occurred before the deputy had time to initiate a traffic stop. Deputies arrived on scene immediately due to the information about a reckless driver in the area. Law enforcement was not in pursuit of the black Tesla and the chain of events was captured on the deputy's dashboard camera.