Morriston man being sought after high-speed motorcycle chase through Gilchrist County

By John M. Ayers

The State Attorney’s Office in the Eighth Judicial Circuit has issued warrants for the arrest of Michael A. Neely, 27, of Morriston after a suspect riding on a motorcycle registered to Neely failed to stop during a 22-mile high-speed motorcycle chase as State Trooper Gabriel Martin pursued the suspect for 9 minutes through Gilchrist County on July 1.
Florida Highway Patrolman Officer Gabriel Martin was east bound on CR 340 approximately three miles east of US 129 when a blue and white Suzuki motorcycle traveling west passed, meeting him at a clocked speed of 82 miles per hour in a 55 miles per hour zone. The Trooper reported he turned around and activated the emergency overhead lights and siren on the marked Dodge Charger patrol vehicle as he began to pursue the driver on the motorcycle.
The driver of the motorcycle began to accelerate as he exceeded speeds of 100 miles per hour. Trooper Martin reported as the motorcycle traveled west the driver passed a white pickup truck in a no passing zone traveling west approaching US-129. The motorcycle traveled through the intersection of CR 340 and US 129 at a high rate of speed without slowing down. As the motorcycle continued to travel west on CR 340, Trooper Martin reported he was able to record the speed of the motorcycle at 125 miles per hour as the chase continued 1 mile west of US-129.
At this time Trooper Martin reported he notified Florida Highway Patrol dispatch that he was in pursuit of a motorcycle refusing to stop and gave a description and direction of travel to the dispatching officer. The dispatching officer reported back to the officer in pursuit that the Gilchrist County Sheriff’s Office would not provide officers to assist Florida Highway Patrol involving this high-speed chase. Trooper Martin reported a white male on a blue and white motorcycle that turned south onto CR 341 that cut an approaching passenger car off making the car stop on the highway. Trooper Martin continued to pursue the driver on the cycle as he turned south onto CR 341. Trooper Martin reported that he was able to catch-up with the motorcycle as the chase neared CR 232 in the southwest portion of Gilchrist County. The Trooper reported the speed of the chase elevated to 139 miles per hour in a 55 mile per hour speed zone for several miles. Trooper Martin was able to communicate the tag number of the motorcycle to FHP Dispatch. The tag was reported to be registered to Michael Allen Neely. The owner of the motorcycle showed that he did not have any motorcycle endorsement on his license. As Trooper Martin continued his pursuit of the motorcycle south, he got close enough to identify the driver who had a tattoo on his right side under his right arm coming around down his back. This marking was observed as the driver’s blue and white shirt was blowing up showing the driver’s back to the officer. As Officer Martin continued to stay close on the cycle, the driver of the motorcycle began to wave his left arm for the trooper to get away and shaking his head in a no motion at this time. The driver continued to speed south on CR 341 as he approached SR 26. Trooper Martin reported the driver of the motorcycle turned left onto SR 26 never stopping at the Stop sign at the intersection after crossing the Nature Coast Greenway as he turned in front of a car that was east bound that had to swerve to avoid a collision.
As the high speed chase continued now east on SR 26 during one of the peak traffic times of the day, now approaching 4:20 p.m., the driver of the cycle accelerated his speed and began to pass oncoming cars without consideration of no passing zones and intersections. Trooper Martin reported the motorcycle passed an eastbound car at the intersection of Lancaster Correctional Institute as the motorcycle swerved into a safety zone to pass the car. When the driver reached the Trenton City limits in west Trenton, Trooper Martin chose to slow down his pursuit as the motorcycle was still speeding into the heavy traffic business district approaching the intersection of SR 26 and US 129. When the motorcycle reached the intersection of the traffic light, the driver passed a semi truck on the right side as the truck was waiting for the traffic signal to change. The motorcycle sped through the intersection without slowing down as a pickup truck north bound on US 129 skidded to a stop to avoid a collision. At this point Trooper Martin cancelled the chase involving this motorcycle.
The charges filed against the driver of the motorcycle: Fleeing and attempting to elude at high speed, No motorcycle endorsement, Expired tag over 6 months, and Willful and wantful reckless driving. The blanket bond that was assigned to these four charges totals $49,000. At press time Michael Allen Neely had not been arrested.
Gilchrist County Sheriff Daniel Slaughter was asked why the Sheriff’s Office did not provide assistance to the Florida Highway Patrol when the officer requested assistance after 4:15 p.m. Sheriff Slaughter reported it is the policy of the sheriff’s office for an officer to engage in pursuit of an individual reasonably suspected of committing a felony involving violence or the threat of violence to another person. He reported the sheriff’s office would not get involved in a high-speed chase when only traffic violations are involved.