Boston Man Charged After U-Haul Fleeing Through Islamorada School Zone

A traffic stop turned criminal when deputies with the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office pursued a U-Haul box truck that failed to stop and drove through a school zone in Islamorada on the morning of January 6, 2026. Idibek Jalilov, 29, listed in jail records as an Army reservist, was taken into custody and now faces a felony fleeing and eluding charge.

MCSO spokesperson Adam Linhardt said Jalilov “displayed his middle finger” as he drove past deputies in a school zone at mile marker 90, located near Plantation Key School and Coral Shores High School, just after 7 a.m. Linhardt said the driver “was subsequently observed impeding traffic, following too closely and speeding, among other violations,” and that he refused to stop for deputies who activated their lights and sirens. Deputies finally stopped the vehicle near mile marker 85, where Florida Highway Patrol assisted and Jalilov was transported to the Plantation Key jail facility.

Records available after the arrest did not list a bond amount or an arraignment date. The charge of fleeing and eluding elevates the response beyond a routine traffic citation and places the case in the county criminal docket, where prosecutors will decide on formal charges and next steps.

For residents of Monroe County, the episode highlights persistent safety risks on U.S. 1, particularly where the highway passes close to school properties. The incident occurred during morning hours when students and school staff frequently travel to and from campus, heightening the potential for harm from high-speed or reckless driving. Local law enforcement emphasized the decision to pursue after the driver failed to stop despite lights and sirens, reflecting policy considerations that balance public safety with the need to apprehend suspects.

The arrest also carries community implications about enforcement presence and response times in the Upper Keys. Deputies’ collaboration with the Florida Highway Patrol in this case illustrates interagency coordination on state highways that traverse county jurisdictions. As the case moves through the legal process, residents can expect updates from the sheriff’s office and court filings that will clarify charges, potential penalties, and any additional safety measures or traffic enforcement efforts near schools.