HERNANDO COUNTY, Fla. (CBS12) — A Hernando County man accused of causing a crash and leading deputies on a chase may have come up with an escape plan, but authorities say his would-be getaway driver had other ideas.
The Hernando County Sheriff’s Office said that it all began on June 26 when traffic deputies responded to a crash near Glory Days Grill. Investigators said Emmanuel Ayala, 39, rear-ended another vehicle, causing injuries, before driving away from the scene.
A short time later, deputies located Ayala’s vehicle and attempted a traffic stop. Rather than pulling over and calling it a day, authorities said Ayala fled, eventually driving into a neighborhood west of Mobley Road.
Investigators said Ayala abandoned his vehicle behind a residence, removed the license plate and disappeared into nearby woods on foot.
Deputies quickly set up a perimeter and called in the Sheriff’s Office Drone Unit and K-9 Unit to help track him down. During the search, authorities identified Ayala as the owner of the abandoned vehicle and learned he was already on federal probation for resisting arrest.
Then came what deputies described as the plot twist.
While hiding in the woods, Ayala allegedly requested an Uber in an apparent attempt to leave the area without attracting attention. The plan hit a speed bump when the rideshare driver noticed a heavy law enforcement presence surrounding the area.
According to the sheriff’s office, the driver contacted deputies and provided the requested pickup location near the tree line along State Road 50.
Deputies responded to the area and found Ayala hiding in the woods, bringing the unusual escape attempt to an abrupt end. He was taken into custody without further incident.
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Authorities also discovered Ayala had his two young children with him while allegedly trying to evade law enforcement. Neither child was injured, and both were safely released to their mother, deputies said.
Shortly after Ayala’s arrest, a federal judge signed a federal probation violation warrant.
The Hernando County Sheriff’s Office charged Ayala with fleeing and eluding law enforcement. The Florida Highway Patrol added charges related to leaving the scene of a crash involving injuries, as well as charges connected to endangering his children.
The Hernando County Sheriff’s Office said that it all began on June 26 when traffic deputies responded to a crash near Glory Days Grill. Investigators said Emmanuel Ayala, 39, rear-ended another vehicle, causing injuries, before driving away from the scene. (Hernando County Sheriff’s Office)
Ayala remains jailed without bond.
For Ayala, deputies say the attempted ride-share escape earned a one-star outcome — and no ride home.