FL resident facing felony charges after high-speed pursuit

A resident of Plantation, Fla., has been charged with a felony after allegedly leading authorities on a high-speed pursuit in Lafayette County on Thursday, Jan. 24.

A probable cause statement obtained from the Lafayette County Court states that while the driver of a vehicle pulled over for a traffic stop on Interstate 70 was in a deputy’s patrol car, the passenger in the stopped vehicle reportedly slid into the driver’s seat and drove away hurriedly.

Suspect Xavier Taylor, 27, reportedly led authorities on a chase on Missouri Highway 131 that reached speeds of up to 100 miles per hour before the vehicle hit tire deflation devices deployed by a Missouri State Highway Patrol officer and crashed near the intersection of Texas Prairie Road and Missouri Highway 131.

Unofficial online court documents state that Taylor has been charged with a class E felony for resisting arrest, detention or stop by fleeing - creating a substantial risk of serious injury or death to any person, and four driving-related misdemeanors. Court documents also state bond was fixed at $5,000 cash or surety.

Taylor’s initial hearing is pending at Lafayette County Circuit Court.

Editor’s note: Charges contained in reports provided by law enforcement officials are not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting charges must be presented before a jury, whose duty is to determine if the accused is guilty or not guilty of the charges.