CASSELBERRY, Fla. – Newly released helicopter video from the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office is shedding light on the moments leading up to the deadly crash in Casselberry that killed two people after a man suspected of trafficking fentanyl fled from law enforcement.
Authorities said Marquavious Wheaton sped away from a traffic stop, setting off a 35-minute aerial surveillance operation that ended when he slammed into an SUV on U.S. 17-92 at Sunnytown Road.
Why deputies didn’t chase
Despite Wheaton’s reckless driving, the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office says deputies intentionally did not pursue him on the ground.
Instead, a sheriff’s helicopter tracked his movements from above while multiple law enforcement agencies coordinated from the ground.
News 6 Traffic Safety Expert Trooper Steve Montiero said avoiding a traditional pursuit reduced the danger to the public.
“There’s no law enforcement behind him. They’ve chosen not to pursue because having that helicopter is the safest way possible,” Steve explained, pointing
To some of the other factors that play in the decision-making process not to chase a suspect in a patrol vehicle.
- Public Risk vs. Reward: Researchers shows a significant percentage of pursuits end in collisions, with some resulting in fatalities. If a suspect flees for a minor traffic violation, or a drug-related concern, agencies determine that a high-speed chase through a crowded area poses a greater threat to public safety than the suspect remaining at large temporarily.
- Environmental and Traffic Conditions: Officers and supervisors, as noted in the helicopter video, continually evaluate conditions. Chases are often called off in heavy traffic, school zones, severe weather, or densely populated areas to prevent catastrophic accidents.
- Alternative Apprehension Methods: Police are shifting away from direct, high-speed chases, while shifting toward safer alternatives like surveillance tech. Officers gather license plate numbers, vehicle descriptions, and suspect identities to arrest the individual later, often using spike strips or air support to safely intercept.
- Legal and Liability Concerns: Law enforcement agencies face massive civil liabilities and lawsuits if a fleeing suspect crashes into a third party. To avoid tragic outcomes and legal complications, departments mandate officers disengage.
- Officer Discretion: Supervisors actively monitor the situation and have the authority to terminate pursuits immediately if the risks become unacceptable.
Video shows dangerous driving
The helicopter footage captures Wheaton repeatedly putting other drivers at risk.
According to Trooper Steve, the video shows Wheaton:
- Running multiple red lights.
- Driving more than 100 mph.
- Weaving through traffic.
- Jumping medians.
- Driving into oncoming lanes.
- Sideswiping another vehicle.
At times, Wheaton even slowed down and stopped behind traffic as if nothing was happening.
Trooper Steve believes Wheaton may not have realized the helicopter was directly overhead and was attempting to blend in with surrounding traffic.
Agencies worked together in real time
As the helicopter followed Wheaton, dispatchers and multiple law enforcement agencies coordinated ahead of his route, using their knowledge of local roads to anticipate where he would go next.
That communication allowed officers to prepare without engaging in a dangerous high-speed chase.
Deadly impact
The pursuit ended on U.S. 17-92 near Sunnytown Road, where investigators say Wheaton crashed into an SUV carrying two brothers, killing both.
Trooper Steve said under normal circumstances, a driver making a left turn must yield to oncoming traffic.
However, he says Wheaton’s extremely high speed likely created a false sense of safety for the victims.
“They had a false sense of clearance and couldn’t see him,” Trooper Steve explained.
Investigation continues
The deadly crash remains under investigation as authorities continue reviewing the events that led to the collision. Officials have emphasized that the decision to rely on aerial surveillance rather than a ground pursuit was made to minimize the risk to the public, even as Wheaton continued driving recklessly across Seminole County.
A GoFundMe was created for the family of one of the crash victims, Christopher Marier, to help cover the cost of funeral and living expenses.