1 caught, 1 at large after men flee from I-95 crash, Flagler County deputies say

Man captured by deputies identified as James Kent Booth

James Kent Booth (Photo courtesy of Virginia Department of Corrections)

FLAGLER COUNTY, Fla. – One man is still being sought after fleeing from a crash that happened on the southbound lanes of I-95 at mile marker 291, the Flagler County Sheriff's Office said.

Deputies received a call at 6:08 p.m. Friday about a single-vehicle crash.

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The Sheriff's Office said people who stopped to help the crash victims told deputies that the three people involved in the crash fled.

Deputies received a call afterwards from a homeowner who said a woman was in need of assistance. Deputies said they found the woman, who was one of the crash victims, and began searching for two men.

The woman, who is the owner of the vehicle involved in the crash, is not being charged with any crimes in Florida at this time, deputies said.

Assisting in the search for the men in the B section in Palm Coast were three K-9 officers from the FCSO and two from Tomoka Correctional Institute, deputies said. Volusia County sheriff's deputies were lending air support, along with Flagler's Fire Flight, in the manhunt.

One man has been identified by deputies as James Kent Booth, 54. According to the Virginia Department of Corrections' website, Booth was wanted for leaving his assigned place of employment without permission.

Booth has been charged with burglary of a conveyance and resisting arrest without violence after he was found hiding in a shed under a blanket at the home of an off-duty sheriff’s deputy at 4:41 a.m. Saturday, the Flagler County Sheriff's Office said.

Booth was spotted by the deputy walking his dog early Saturday morning, deputies said. His dog started barking at the shed Booth was hiding in and the deputy held him at gunpoint until help arrived, deputies said.

Deputies said in addition to the local charges, Booth is also being charged with being a fugitive from the work-release program in Henrico County, Va.

The other man still on the run is only known as Mike, deputies said. Deputies said they are questioning the existence of the reported second man due to conflicting descriptions and accounts of his involvement.

"I'm very proud of the work these deputies did overnight to find this fugitive," Sheriff James L. Manfre said. "They worked long hours to protect our community in this situation and are to be commended."

The crash is being investigated by the Florida Highway Patrol.