High-speed chase on Alligator Alley in Collier County ends with crash, arrest of suspect

A woman was arrested on Tuesday after being accused of leading state troopers on a high-speed chase on Alligator Alley in Collier County.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol arrest report, at around 7:29 a.m., a trooper was patrolling around mile marker 96 when they spotted a white Honda traveling southbound at a high rate of speed. The trooper used their radar and was able to note the Honda's speed as being 106 mph.

The trooper then pulled onto the road and attempted to stop the driver as they were swerving and making sudden lane changes, the report said. The driver continued to accelerate away from the trooper, who began a pursuit and noted they had to reach speeds of up to 130 mph to keep up with the driver of the Honda.

The driver eventually drove onto the paved shoulder of the road and crashed into a metal guardrail. The trooper exited their patrol car and, at gunpoint, told the driver to exit the vehicle and show their hands, the report said.

The driver was identified as Awanda Teresa Baker, the report said. Baker exhibited erratic behavior and yelled that someone was chasing her, according to the trooper.

Emergency services responded to the scene and transported Baker to the hospital due to the severity of the crash. After she was medically cleared, Baker was arrested.

She faces charges of fleeing/attempting to elude at high speed, reckless driving, speeding, failure to provide insurance at the time of the crash, and probation violation.