Martin County, Florida — A North Carolina family’s drive home from a Florida vacation turned into a frightening ordeal after authorities say a man aggressively pursued them on the highway before intentionally forcing their SUV off the road, causing it to crash into a barbed-wire fence.
Investigators say the family, including a young child, had to flee into nearby brush to protect themselves while deputies searched for the suspect.
Road Rage Allegedly Began at Gas Station
According to the Martin County Sheriff’s Office, 36-year-old Michael Spires has been charged with two counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, aggravated child abuse, and reckless driving following the Saturday evening incident.
Deputies said the confrontation began around 7:30 p.m. at a gas station, where Spires allegedly started chasing a woman from North Carolina through the parking lot before following her onto the highway in a Chevy Equinox.
Investigators said the woman repeatedly tried to get away as Spires allegedly attempted to force her vehicle off the road several times.
Fearing for her safety, she reportedly called 911 and eventually escaped by driving the wrong way on an exit ramp, according to investigators.
Brother’s SUV Became the Next Target
Police say Spires then shifted his attention to the woman’s brother, who was traveling behind her in an SUV with his wife and their young son.
According to the arrest report, Spires allegedly threw objects at the family’s vehicle, repeatedly brake-checked them, and was seen making hand gestures described by investigators as gang signs.
Authorities allege the situation escalated when Spires intentionally used his SUV to perform a PIT (Precision Immobilization Technique) maneuver, striking the family’s vehicle and causing it to lose control.
The SUV reportedly spun off the highway and crashed into a barbed-wire fence.
Family Ran Into Brush to Escape
Although the crash was severe, no members of the family were physically injured, according to authorities.
Body camera footage released after the incident reportedly showed the family emerging from nearby brush, where they had hidden after escaping from the damaged SUV.
Investigators said they fled the vehicle because they feared Spires might continue the attack.
Deputies later confirmed there was no evidence suggesting the victims knew Spires or had any previous interaction with him before the incident.
Suspect Claimed Family Was Taking His Money
Deputies located Spires a short time later at a Sunoco gas station.
According to authorities, body camera footage captured Spires telling officers that the family’s SUV had crashed into him and alleging they were stealing his money.
Investigators said they found no evidence supporting those claims.
Martin County Sheriff John Budensiek said investigators are still trying to determine what may have motivated the suspect’s actions.
According to the sheriff, Spires appeared erratic, and investigators are considering whether he may have been under the influence of a stimulant or experiencing a mental health episode, though no official determination has been made.
Additional Investigation Led to Another Allegation
While searching Spires’ vehicle, deputies also found a dog inside. According to investigators, the dog had allegedly been taken from someone Spires had been dating.
Authorities said the animal was safely returned to its owner.
Spires was booked into the Martin County Jail, where he is being held on $20,000 bond. Court records show a future court date had not yet been scheduled as the investigation continues.
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