On the evening of August 7th 2024 Levy County Dispatch Center received a report of a driver unable to stay on the roadway. The concerned citizen continued to follow and give information to dispatch on the location.
Levy County Deputy Sam Quincey responded to the area and was able to get behind the vehicle to establish the driving pattern. It was obvious that this driver was either suffering from a medical condition or was under the influence of something, due to the fact that they could not stay in one lane. Deputy Quincey initiated a traffic stop in the area of US 41 and SE 25th Street, and the driver refused to stop. The vehicle continued northbound on U.S. 41 running multiple vehicles off the roadway. Multiple times cars were pulling off the road and the driver still would swerve toward those vehicles and almost striking them.
Multiple units responded to the area to stop the vehicle in order to prevent a serious crash. Deputy Stephen Williamson was able to set up stop sticks (tire deflation device) in the area of Cloverleaf in the City of Williston after the driver had failed to stop at the red light at U.S. 41 and State Road 121. Deputy Williamson was able to get an effective hit with the stop sticks that deflated both front tires of the vehicle.
The driver continued northbound toward “The Top of the Hill” intersection. Due to the total disregard for the safety of other motorists and citizens, deputies used their vehicles to make contact with the defendant’s vehicle and force it to a stop. Once deputies had stopped the vehicle, it was boxed in with three patrol cars.
The driver of the vehicle was checked to make sure she had no medical issues, and then the criminal investigation started due to signs of impairment. The driver, Rhonda Livesay, ended up being arrested for DUI , Fleeing and Eluding Law Enforcement, Reckless Driving , Two counts of Possession of Controlled Substance Without a Prescription and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia .
Livesay was booked into the Levy County Detention Center and issued a total bond of $175,000 at first appearance. These deputies put their lives at risk to ensure the safety of all. There were no injuries during this incident and there was only minor damage to two patrol vehicles.