Fort Pierce driver accused of fleeing police twice during targeted traffic enforcement

FORT PIERCE, Fla. (CBS12) — A driver in Fort Pierce is accused of fleeing from police officers twice during a targeted traffic enforcement initiative, according to the Fort Pierce Police Department.

FPPD says that on Sept. 25, at around 4:45 p.m., during the traffic enforcement initiative taking place in the Okeechobee Road and Jenkins Road area, officers conducted a traffic stop on a blue Volkswagen Jetta.

During the stop, they identified that the driver — Leon Kevin Gentle-Coaxum, 21 — was driving with a suspended license.

Next, as the officer approached the vehicle, the Gentle-Coaxum suddenly fled the traffic stop, according to FPPD. He then was seen driving recklessly, speeding into oncoming traffic and around stopped vehicles using the grass shoulder.

After finding the vehicle stopped in traffic at South 25th Street and Edwards Road, officers attempted another traffic stop and ordered Gentle-Coaxum out of the car. Instead, he refused once again and attempted to flee a second time by ramming a vehicle in front of him.

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In an effort to stop the car, an officer broke Gentle-Coaxum’s driver’s side window. He then exited through the passenger side and took off on foot. FPPD says a nearby citizen intervened and tackled Gentle-Coaxum, allowing officers to take him into custody.

Gentle-Coaxum is charged with fleeing and alluding with property damages, hit and run with property damages, operating a vehicle without a valid license and resisting without violence.