Jorge Rea was sentenced to 144 months in prison, immediately after being convicted of Flee to Elude Law Enforcement Officer at High Speed or Wanton Disregard and Dangerous Excessive Speeding. The defendant was found guilty just after 5 p.m. Tuesday, following a one-day jury trial in Lee County. He was arrested after fleeing law enforcement at speeds over 100 mph.
Assistant State Attorney Jacob Wetter and Alexandra Xiques prosecuted the case.
The incident started around 10 p.m. on July 8, 2025. The Collier County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) was in active pursuit of a vehicle driven by the defendant. The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) was notified as the pursuit led into Lee County.
An FHP Trooper was doing traffic control for a detour at the intersection of Corkscrew Road, near Ben Hill Griffin Parkway. His marked FHP patrol car, with flashing blue lights, was parked in the median as the trooper directed traffic. Suddenly a grey SUV went past at an estimated 100 mph, followed by a marked CCSO patrol vehicle, with lights and sirens activated.
The Collier County Sheriff’s Deputy driving in the pursuit began honking his air horn alerting the trooper to assist. The trooper joined the pursuit and then took over as primary in the pursuit, with the deputy just behind him.
To stop the defendant, the trooper accelerated, passing the defendant, then pulled in front of him, slowing down to 40 mph, forcing the defendant to slow down. The defendant attempted to pass the trooper by driving onto the grassy shoulder of the road and accelerated, in an attempt to cut the trooper off.
The trooper recognized that there was currently no traffic in that area of Corkscrew Road, so he did a Precision Immobilization Technique (PIT) to stop the fleeing vehicle. He intentionally used the front left of his patrol car to contact the rear right of the defendant’s SUV, successfully stopping the vehicle.
The defendant was ordered out of the car and was taken into custody. He had been driving on a suspended license. A passenger in the vehicle had an active warrant and was also arrested.
Samantha Syoen – State Attorney’s Office Communications Director