Lakeland, FL – A 35-year-old Tampa man, Keith Jerell Carr (DOB: 09/01/1990), was arrested following a high-speed pursuit that ended in a multi-vehicle crash in Lakeland on Friday, January 16 2026, after authorities recovered trafficking quantities of cocaine and fentanyl from his vehicle.
Florida Highway Patrol troopers stopped the driver for traveling 61 mph in a 45 mph zone. The driver initially stopped but fled as the trooper exited his vehicle, reaching speeds exceeding 100 mph. The pursuit ended when the vehicle crashed into six other vehicles at the intersection of CR-540A and Carter Road.
With assistance from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, the suspect was apprehended at the scene. The driver stated that he was returning to jail for a long time due to drugs in the vehicle.
Authorities recovered 52.6 grams of cocaine, 135.2 grams of cannabis, and 20.2 grams of fentanyl from the vehicle. Under Florida law, possession of 28 grams or more of cocaine and 4 grams or more of fentanyl constitutes trafficking amounts for those substances. Nothing further at this time.
SOURCE: FLORIDA HIGHWAY PATROL
