MERRITT ISLAND, Fla. – Visibly upset - that was John Lucas’ reaction to word that he must put up $157,500 bond to get out of jail. He didn’t hesitate to ask for it to be lowered.
“I’ll have an ankle monitor,” reasoned Lucas when making his bond court appearance.
“Sir, you fled from law enforcement, crashed into a law enforcement vehicle, and then ended up in the Barge Canal with your victim in the canal - I’m not going to be reducing your charges cost at this time,” said the judge.
In all, he’s facing eight charges, including attempted second-degree murder.
It all started on Monday. Brevard County deputies say Lucas met up with his ex-girlfriend in a parking lot off North Courtney Boulevard in Merritt Island. He was asking to rekindle their relationship.
When she said no, deputies say he forced his way into her car and began strangling her. That’s when the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office showed up.
“As they got out and started walking up to approach the vehicle, the vehicle went into reverse, backed out of the parking lot, pushing one of our patrol vehicles out of the way hitting it in the front right side,” explained BCSO Public Information Officer Tod Goodyear.
No deputies were hurt, just their cruiser.
They say Lucas, who was behind the wheel of his ex’s car, fled the scene with her still inside. A couple of miles away he spotted the Barge Canal.
“He decided to drive off the bridge, we are guessing in an attempt to end both of their lives, so he drove off the bridge into the water,” said Goodyear.
The victim was hurt bad enough that she was unable to get out of the car on her own, but was pulled to safety within minutes.
As for Lucas, he was able to get out of the vehicle and evade capture as he ran through a wooded area. A search ensued for a few hours, but ultimately he wasn’t found until the next day.
Now, Lucas is behind bars with his next court appearance set for April 30.
The victim was taken to the hospital. We are told her injuries do not appear to be life threatening.