DeLAND, Fla. – A DeLand man accused of beating his ex-girlfriend and locking her in the trunk of a car was arrested after leading Volusia County sheriff’s deputies on a chase that reached speeds of 120 mph, officials said.
The Volusia County Sheriff' Office said the incident began Monday night at the Family Food Market at 1104 W. Euclid Ave. in DeLand, where deputies were called for a report of an abduction.
The victim told deputies her ex-boyfriend, Darrian Miler, 42, demanded that she drive him somewhere, authorities said.
When they arrived in the 600 block of Margaret Street, he demanded that she get out of the car, deputies said. She refused, so Miler punched her several times, took her cellphone and forced her into the trunk, deputies said.
"I was panicking in the trunk. I was kicking, hollering and screaming, trying to get out. A spirit came over me and just told me to calm down," the victim told News 6.
The victim used the trunk release to get out and screamed for help, according to the Sheriff's Office. Nearby residents said Miler punched the woman some more and tried to close the trunk on her, according to deputies.
Miler became preoccupied with the witnesses, and the victim was able to escape and run toward the Family Food Market, deputies said. Deputies noted that the woman's face was swollen and her shirt was covered in blood.
"We just heard someone screaming. A woman (was) screaming, and I opened the door and a white car came by with its lights off," an unidentified 911 caller said.
The victim also called 911.
"My boyfriend just stole my car and put me in the trunk, but I got out," she said.
"How are you injured right now?" the dispatcher asked.
"I think my jaw is broke," she said.
There were initial reports of possible shots fired in the incident, but it was determined no shooting occurred.
Miler drove off, but his vehicle was spotted just after midnight in the area of Champions Gate Drive and LPGA Boulevard in Daytona Beach, deputies said. Miler fled from Daytona Beach police and headed back to DeLand on International Speedway Boulevard, where he reached speeds of 120 mph, according to deputies.
Deputies used stop sticks on the vehicle, and Miler eventually stopped and surrendered at 1385 Julie Ave. in DeLand, officials said. He complained of back pain and was taken to Florida Hospital DeLand to be medically cleared before he was taken to the Volusia County Branch Jail, where he was held without bond on charges of:
- Carjacking
- Kidnapping
- False imprisonment
- Robbery
- Tampering with a witness
- Felony battery
- Fleeing or attempting to elude law enforcement
- Driving while license suspended
Fleeing abduction suspect arrested***Update: Body-camera footage of Darrian Miler's arrest is available at: https://www.facebook.com/VolusiaSheriff/videos/1798392933533234/ Thanks to the Daytona Beach Police Department and DeLand Police Department for their assistance on this call. It should be noted VCSO was alerted to the stolen vehicle’s location in Daytona Beach shortly after midnight thanks to License Plate Reader technology.*** DEPUTIES CATCH FLEEING SUSPECT WHO BEAT UP EX-GIRLFRIEND, LOCKED HER IN TRUNK A DeLand man who beat his girlfriend, locked her in the trunk of a car and later fled from Volusia County sheriff’s deputies at speeds reaching about 120 mph was taken into custody early Tuesday on a long list of felony charges. The incident began Monday night at the Family Food Market at 1104 W. Euclid Ave., DeLand, where deputies responded around 9 p.m. to a report of an abduction. The victim told deputies her ex-boyfriend, 42-year-old Darrian Miler (DOB 4/23/1976) had demanded she drive him somewhere. She did, but when they arrived in the 600 block of Margaret Street, he demanded she get out of the car. She refused, so Miler got out, went to the driver’s door, punched the victim several times and popped the trunk. She said he took her cell phone, bank card and money, and told her she wouldn’t be calling anyone. Then he forced her into the trunk, punching her several more times, and closed the lid. The victim used the trunk release to open the lid and scream for help, and residents in the area started to gather. Miler punched the victim some more and tried to close the trunk on her again, but when he was preoccupied with the witnesses, the victim was able to escape and run toward the Family Food Market. Responding deputies immediately noticed her face was swollen, her shirt was covered in blood and its neck had been ripped. But Miler had already fled the area in the victim’s vehicle. While there were initial reports of possible shots fired in the incident, it was determined no shooting occurred. The vehicle was spotted just after midnight in the area of Champions Gate Drive and LPGA Boulevard in Daytona Beach. Miler fled from Daytona Beach police and headed back to DeLand on International Speedway Boulevard, where he reached speeds of 120 mph as he continued to flee. Deputies deployed stop sticks on the vehicle, and Miler eventually stopped and surrendered at 1385 Julie Ave., DeLand. He complained of back pain and was taken to Florida Hospital DeLand to be medically cleared before transport to the Volusia County Branch Jail, where he was held without bond on charges of: Carjacking Kidnapping False imprisonment Robbery Tampering with a witness Felony battery Fleeing or attempting to elude law enforcement Driving while license suspended
Posted by Volusia Sheriff's Office on Tuesday, May 22, 2018
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