WAUSAU — A manhunt is still underway for the man wanted in connection with a high speed chase that led to what is now being classified as a hit-and-run fatal crash in Wausau.
Deputies with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office attempted to apprehend Jayvon J. Burns, 35, at the Chipley Wal-Mart about 6:45 p.m. Monday after receiving a tip Burns was spotted in the store. The subject was wanted on several Washington County warrants, including felony domestic battery by strangulation, intimidating/threatening a victim witness informant, and assault with intent to commit domestic violence.
Burns fled the store in his 2003 GMC Envoy, southbound on State 77, into the Wausau city limits with deputies in pursuit. The chase reportedly topped speeds of around 100 mph.
The Florida Highway Patrol reports Casey L. Maxwell, 18, of Chipley, was traveling northbound on State 77 in her 1998 Buick Century, turning west at 3612 Washington St., when Burns collided with her right-side passenger door. After impact, both vehicles came to a final rest in the southbound lane of State 77.
Burns then fled on foot into the wooded area on the west side of State 77 — leaving his passenger, Melissa Everett, 38, of Chipley, injured in the vehicle.
Everett, who is reported to have suffered minor injuries, was transported to Gulf Coast Regional Medical Center in Panama City.
Maxwell, who was life-flighted from the scene, later died of her injuries.
K-9 units, helicopters and officers from several agencies worked through Monday night’s bitter cold, and the search was still in progress Tuesday afternoon.
Burns’ last known address is listed as 5686 Pelham Court in Graceville, but he is said to have been living in the Chipley area.
Burns was released from Bay County custody Nov. 10, 2013, after serving six months of a one-year and two-month sentence for a false imprisonment offense that took place in November 2012. He is described as a black male, 5 feet 9 inches tall, weighing about 170 pounds. He has name-bearing tattoos on his left arm, neck and right arm.
Anyone with information regarding Burns’ whereabouts is asked to contact Cpl. N.T. Russell by dialing *FHP, or through their local law enforcement agency.