Motorcyclist accused of leading state troopers on interstate-to-dirt road chase in Charlotte County

CHARLOTTE COUNTY, Fla. —

State troopers say they spotted Cash Wright riding his motorcycle recklessly on I-75 North in Charlotte County Tuesday night, leading to a high-speed chase that ended in a crash on Leah Road.

The Florida Highway Patrol noted in an affidavit that Wright's taillights were reportedly spray-painted black, making him invisible to other drivers in the dark. They attempted to pull him over, but said he was accused of accelerating and releasing a cloud of smoke as he exited at Jones Loop Road.

For a moment, troopers said they could barely see him. The chase continued for about four miles before Wright turned down Leah Rd.

Gavin Gonzalez, a neighbor, expressed his surprise at the chase reaching their neighborhood, saying, "I was just in complete shock, knowing it was all the way from the highway and them coming all the way to our neighborhood."

Jaxon Bowling, another neighbor, said, "One of my classmates lives out here with me, and he told me he's like, you know, you hear about that crash? And I'm like, no. And he said, oh, well, that guy was not smart for going on a dirt road."

Leah Rd. is unpaved with over a dozen potholes. Neighbors mentioned that people often ride bikes and ATVs on the rough terrain.

Gonzalez added, "I've heard that going fast here is somewhat dangerous."

Jacob Eargle, a neighbor, commented on the crash, saying, "Didn't he, like, run to a bush or something?"

He pointed out the crash site, noting a big bump where Wright was thrown 10 feet from the bike.

Eargle said, "If you hit it fast, it could be fatal."

A state trooper handcuffed Wright, taking him to a hospital to be cleared before transporting him to the Charlotte County Jail where he faces charges of fleeing, reckless driving, and drug possession.

Troopers said they found a rock of meth reportedly in his pocket. An affidavit stated that Wright claimed he couldn't see the troopers' flashing lights because his rear mirror doesn't work.

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