TAMPA, Fla. — A high-speed chase by the Florida Highway Patrol spanning three counties ended in a crash at the Tampa International Airport, according to a news release.
Charles Bynum IV, 45, was driving his silver Kia Sportage on State Road 589 at mile marker 32 going more than 120 mph as the Florida Highway Patrol says they tried to stop him.
The chase started in Hernando County where a trooper noticed Bynum driving recklessly "all over the road." When Bynum failed to stop, troopers started trailing him, according to the arrest report.
A second trooper caught up to Bynum at mile marker 16 and noticed him driving between 110 and 130 mph. Bynum entered the entrance to the Tampa International Airport and tried to squeeze in between two cars but crashed into a Toyota sedan. He then hit the back of a Ford Explorer.
After hitting the two cars, Bynum's car broke down and slowly came to a stop. When it stopped, Bynum got out of the car and tried to run and jump a fence but failed. A trooper tased him and put him in handcuffs.
When troopers searched the car, they found marijuana, and Bynum later admitted to having it on him.
Bynum also had bloodshot, watery eyes and smelled like alcohol, troopers said. His license is currently revoked from February 2023 for 10 years stemming from a DUI and he has seven prior convictions for driving while his license was suspended or revoked, according to the arrest report.
He was taken to St. Joseph's Hospital Main where he refused to give authorities a blood sample and was taken into custody.
Bynum is facing charges of resisting an officer without violence, possession of cannabis less than 20 grams, driving under the influence for the fourth time, driving under the influence with property damage, refusal to submit to testing, two counts of leaving the scene of a crash with property damage, reckless driving with property damage, aggravated fleeing to elude troopers, fleeing to elude at high speed and driving with license revoked.