Insets, top to bottom: Stevens Charles (Volusia County Jail) and Julia Wagner (Facebook). Background: Florida cops investigate a fatal crash in Volusia County (WESH).
A Florida grand jury has indicted a Miami man who allegedly killed a 71-year-old woman while he was fleeing cops the wrong way down a Sunshine State highway.
Stevens Charles, 40, stands accused of first-degree murder in the death of Julia Wagner, which occurred last month in Volusia County. Cops on the afternoon of Sept. 16 tried to pull over Charles, a suspect in a string of burglaries in neighboring Flagler County, in a Chevrolet Suburban, according to a probable cause arrest affidavit. But Charles allegedly drove away and hopped on southbound Interstate 95.
Deputies gave chase to the Suburban, which was “traveling at a recklessly high speed, in congested traffic, with no regard for the safety of the motoring public, or the law enforcement officers attempting to stop him,” the affidavit said. Charles then exited the highway and re-entered traveling the wrong way down an exit ramp on the northbound side.
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The suspect allegedly traveled into the direct path of Wagner”s Volkswagen Beetle, striking it head-on. Charles and two passengers ran out of the SUV but were later arrested, cops said. Paramedics rushed Wagner to the hospital, where she died.
Prosecutor R.J. Larizza told reporters Wagner was on her way home from her volunteer shift at a local hospital.
“Imagine this: Coming off the interstate, you get ready to go home, and all of a sudden, here comes this Suburban coming up the wrong way on that exit ramp,” Larizza said. “She just didn’t have a chance, God bless her.”
Larizza said it was “horrific to see the photographs of what the Suburban did to that little Volkswagen Beetle.” He lamented that Charles could have simply stopped instead of leading cops on a chase.
“He wouldn’t be facing first-degree felony murder charges now and looking at life in prison,” the prosecutor stated.
Charles also is facing a slew of charges including aggravating fleeing and eluding law enforcement with serious injury or death, leaving the scene of a crash with death and resisting arrest. He remains in the Volusia County Jail without bond.
His next court date is scheduled for Oct. 14.
According to her obituary, Wagner was married for over three decades years and worked in human resources for some 40 years before retiring. She then started volunteering at a hospital.
“Julia was known for her booming laugh, her love of travel and entertaining, and her unwavering commitment to those she cared about,” the obituary reads. “Her Catholic faith was the foundation of her life, and she lived it with joy, generosity and grace.”
