Two St. Johns County deputies receive minor injuries from a head on crash during a pursuit.
Deputies were notified about a carjacking in Duval County, and just before 4 AM, they spotted the suspected car driving south on I-95. Deputies pursued and the car continued on to SR 16 westbound.
During the pursuit, the deputies performed two “pit maneuvers”, meaning they bumped the rear of the car with their patrol car in an effort to get the driver to lose control and stop on the side of the road. After the first attempt, the suspect was forced off the road, but then accelerated once again, hitting a patrol car head on.
“He took off again and was stopped a second time, and they had to force their way in to the vehicle since the two individuals refused to get out,” says Sheriff’s Office Media Relations Officer Kevin Kelshaw.
The driver is 26-year-old Cory Bellamy, and his passenger was 25-year-old Matthew Lofton. Both are from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Lofton is also wanted in New Jersey for a warrant for aggravated arson.
Both are now in St. Johns County Jail on $125,000 bond. Bellamy is charged with carjacking, aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer, aggravated fleeing, and attempting to elude an officer. Lofton is charged with carjacking in addition to his New Jersey warrant.
The Sheriff’s Office says the pair was positively identified by the carjacking victims.