By Ryan Yousefi
A wild and dramatic high-speed chase happening on Interstate 95 came to a chaotic end on Wednesday, as law enforcement successfully apprehended a Margate man wanted for the stabbing of a physician in Palm Beach County.
According to the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office, the suspect, Michael Parchesco, 28, of Margate, had reportedly run from law enforcement in Jupiter after allegedly stabbing a physician. He was last seen fleeing northbound on Interstate 95 at an alarming rate of speed when deputies located him, and a high-speed pursuit ensued.
The chase involved ground units and aerial support. The footage released by the deputies on Thursday showed a white sedan driven by Parchesco weaving in and out of traffic, reaching speeds exceeding 140 mph at times.
The video shows that law enforcement deployed a spike strip, causing Parchesco’s vehicle to stop. In a desperate attempt to evade capture, Parchesco tried to turn around in the wet, grassy median. Sheriff’s office vehicles then converged on the slowed-down car, preventing further escape. Parchesco exited the vehicle and surrendered, lying on the ground with his hands raised.
According to the arrest report, deputies from the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office first responded to the call for assistance from the Jupiter Police Department after Jupiter police reported they had been tracking Parchesco, the attempted murder suspect, and had spotted him driving on Interstate 95, leaving their jurisdiction.
Parchesco’s reckless driving continued as law enforcement closed in, as he accelerated to speeds well over the limit, reportedly as high as almost 150 mph, weaving between lanes and cutting off other vehicles. Law enforcement officers could catch up to him around the 147 Mile Marker area.
Parchesco’s dangerous attempts to evade capture included driving on the interstate shoulder and intentionally cutting off other vehicles. The pursuit climaxed north of the Vero Beach exit when Parchesco collided with a deputy cruiser.
Upon surrender, Parchesco was booked into the Indian River County jail, where he was given a $100,000 bond for fleeing and eluding law enforcement.
He’s expected to face charges in the stabbing in Palm Beach County.
Officials haven’t released information about the stabbed doctor, including his identity or condition.
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