OCALA, Fla. — A Largo man wanted for murder who has his license suspended led law enforcement on a high-speed chase on Interstate 75 while he was drunk before losing control of his car, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Travis Craig, 28, allegedly fled a traffic stop in Tampa in his black Dodge and took off heading north on I-75 with Tampa police following him and the police helicopter flying over and tracking his whereabouts. Tampa police contacted the Florida Highway Patrol around 3:30 p.m. Sunday and two deputies started to try to stop Craig.
Traffic became congested during the pursuit and deputies were able to spot Craig trying to hide his car behind other cars. Craig sped off again on the shoulder until he lost control and stopped near a tree line, troopers said.
Once the car stopped, Craig got out of it and ran into the woods, but deputies were able to spot him easily because of his white shirt. As Craig was attempting to take his shirt off, a deputy was able to get him to surrender. Craig then told the deputy that he ran off because he was drunk, according to the arrest report.
He was arrested nearly 4 hours after troopers were first called to help police chase him.
When FHP troopers searched his car, they found a loaded gun inside the front passenger floorboard. They also learned Craig has two separate warrants out for his arrest.
He was booked into the Sumter County Jail on multiple charges including DUI, driving with a suspended license and having a gun as a convicted felon.
Craig also has a previous criminal history with four felony convictions, with two being driving while his license was suspended.