A Volusia County driver who authorities say plowed into a parked fire truck at an active crash scene in Daytona Beach on Thursday wound up leading law enforcement on a rolling pursuit and a sprint through a DeLand shopping plaza before being taken down by a trooper. The chase started on International Speedway Boulevard and wrapped up in the Publix parking lot near Amelia Avenue, officials said. The suspect was caught after a brief foot chase, and firefighters working the original crash were reported uninjured.
How the chase began
Troopers were already handling a single‑vehicle rollover on West International Speedway Boulevard when a second car allegedly blew past the scene and hit a Volusia County fire truck that was parked as part of the response, according to WFTV. The station reported the original rollover, involving a 1997 Honda CR‑V, happened around 4:08 p.m., and investigators say the vehicle that took off from the fire‑truck crash was a 2020 Honda Civic. After that collision, deputies and Florida Highway Patrol troopers followed the Civic west toward DeLand as it weaved through traffic.
Pursuit ends in DeLand plaza
Volusia deputies said the driver pushed the car onto the shoulder and through the grass, and even stopped briefly mid‑pursuit to let two passengers jump out before trying to squeeze past traffic near Amelia Avenue. The Civic then struck a culvert and a utility pole, ending the driving portion of the chase, as reported by FOX 35 Orlando. The suspect ditched the car and ran into the Publix parking lot. Deputies brought in a K‑9, but a Florida Highway Patrol trooper ultimately caught him after a short foot chase. Officials said the man was taken to a hospital for evaluation before being booked into jail.
Arrest and charges
Authorities identified the suspect as 27‑year‑old Jamal Anthony Riascos of DeLand, who was booked into the Volusia County Branch Jail after receiving medical clearance, according to WFTV. Riascos faces multiple counts, including fleeing and eluding causing property damage, leaving the scene of a crash, reckless driving, resisting an officer without violence and a violation of probation. The investigation is still active, and officials have not released further information about any injuries stemming from the earlier rollover.
Why this matters on Florida roads
Crashing into a parked emergency vehicle and taking off is not just bad form; it can bring heavy penalties and puts first responders in the line of fire. Florida’s Move Over guidance tells drivers to switch lanes or slow down when approaching stopped emergency or service vehicles, according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. While ignoring the Move Over rules is typically a traffic infraction, cases involving property damage or a driver fleeing the scene can result in separate criminal charges. Local agencies keep hammering the same point: easing off the gas and giving responders room is key to avoiding a second crash.
Volusia County deputies and the Florida Highway Patrol are still piecing together the events that led to the collision and chase. For initial local reporting and agency details, see FOX 35 Orlando.
