A Tampa man was arrested by Florida Highway Patrol in Polk County after leading troopers on a high-speed chase on Friday, Jan. 16.FHP said 35-year-old Jerell Carr is facing charges of fleeing to elude law enforcement officers at a high speed, fleeing with a disregard to safety causing injury, resisting or obstructing law enforcement without violence, trafficking in fentanyl, cocaine possession and marijuana possession following the chase and, ultimately, a six-car crash.According to his arrest report, troopers attempted a traffic stop on a blue Toyota Corolla travelling 61 mph in a 45 mph zone on County Road 540A in Lakeland around 2:30 Friday afternoon. FHP said that Carr, who was driving the Corolla, did pull over and stop, but as the trooper exited his vehicle to approach the Corolla, the vehicle took off westbound.The trooper pursued the suspect, and the chase exceeded speeds of 100 mph. FHP said Carr drove the vehicle against the flow of traffic, heading westbound in the eastbound lanes of Cross Creek Boulevard and on the sidewalk.Ultimately, Carr crashed into a dump truck as he attempted to split lanes at a red light at the intersection with Scott Lake Road. After the crash, Carr was removed from the Corolla and secured in handcuffs. FHP noted that as Carr was being handcuffed, he said he was going to jail for a long time because there were drugs in the car.Troopers said they found more than 50 grams of cocaine, 20 grams of cannabis and over 130 grams of fentanyl in the vehicle.Carr was transported to the Polk County Jail following his arrest. He was previously released from prison in June 2025 for trafficking in amphetamines, according to the arrest report. Polk County Jail records indicate that he has been arrested several times since 2010 on a variety of charges, many relating to drug possession and violating probation.
POLK COUNTY, Fla. —
A Tampa man was arrested by Florida Highway Patrol in Polk County after leading troopers on a high-speed chase on Friday, Jan. 16.
FHP said 35-year-old Jerell Carr is facing charges of fleeing to elude law enforcement officers at a high speed, fleeing with a disregard to safety causing injury, resisting or obstructing law enforcement without violence, trafficking in fentanyl, cocaine possession and marijuana possession following the chase and, ultimately, a six-car crash.
According to his arrest report, troopers attempted a traffic stop on a blue Toyota Corolla travelling 61 mph in a 45 mph zone on County Road 540A in Lakeland around 2:30 Friday afternoon. FHP said that Carr, who was driving the Corolla, did pull over and stop, but as the trooper exited his vehicle to approach the Corolla, the vehicle took off westbound.
The trooper pursued the suspect, and the chase exceeded speeds of 100 mph. FHP said Carr drove the vehicle against the flow of traffic, heading westbound in the eastbound lanes of Cross Creek Boulevard and on the sidewalk.
Ultimately, Carr crashed into a dump truck as he attempted to split lanes at a red light at the intersection with Scott Lake Road. After the crash, Carr was removed from the Corolla and secured in handcuffs. FHP noted that as Carr was being handcuffed, he said he was going to jail for a long time because there were drugs in the car.
Troopers said they found more than 50 grams of cocaine, 20 grams of cannabis and over 130 grams of fentanyl in the vehicle.
Carr was transported to the Polk County Jail following his arrest. He was previously released from prison in June 2025 for trafficking in amphetamines, according to the arrest report. Polk County Jail records indicate that he has been arrested several times since 2010 on a variety of charges, many relating to drug possession and violating probation.