VOLUSIA COUNTY, FL – A Miami man has been indicted for allegedly killing a 71-year-old woman while fleeing police the wrong way on a Florida highway. The tragic crash, which occurred last month, has left the community mourning Julia Wagner, a longtime hospital volunteer.
Wrong-Way Chase Leads to Fatal Collision
On the afternoon of September 16, deputies attempted to stop Stevens Charles, 40, who was suspected of a string of burglaries in Flagler County, while he was driving a Chevrolet Suburban. Instead of stopping, Charles allegedly fled police at high speed, ignoring traffic safety and law enforcement efforts.
According to the probable cause arrest affidavit, Charles exited the highway and traveled the wrong way down a northbound exit ramp, directly into the path of Wagner’s Volkswagen Beetle. The SUV struck the vehicle head-on, leaving Wagner critically injured.
Victim Identified
Julia Wagner, 71, was on her way home from her hospital volunteer shift when the collision occurred. Paramedics rushed her to a nearby hospital, but she succumbed to her injuries.
Prosecutor R.J. Larizza described the incident as devastating:…