High-speed chase on U.S. 1 ends with arrest near MM 70

Monroe County Sheriff’s deputies apprehended a Florida City man after a high-speed pursuit on the Overseas Highway that ended in mangroves near mile marker 70. Deputies say the chase began after reports of reckless driving near MM 65 and escalated when the driver reached speeds near 80 mph and attempted to evade patrol units.

Sheriff’s deputies deployed spike strips in the MM 68-69 area, bringing the Chevrolet Tahoe to a stop near MM 70. The driver, identified as 40-year-old Joshua Derek Guajardo, fled on foot into the mangroves and ocean water, where deputies observed him carrying an object resembling a firearm. Because of the potential weapon and the location of the pursuit, deputies temporarily closed U.S. 1 until the scene could be secured.

Guajardo was taken into custody with assistance from multiple agencies: the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and the Florida Highway Patrol. Sheriff’s deputies reported charges including driving under the influence, fleeing and eluding, and driving with a suspended license; additional charges may be pending as the investigation continues.

The chase and beachside search briefly disrupted traffic on the county’s primary artery, affecting commuters and visitors traveling between the mainland and the Keys. Local residents and seasonal workers who rely on the Overseas Highway for daily travel faced delays and a police presence along a stretch of road where sightlines and shoulders are limited. The sight of law enforcement operating in mangroves and nearshore waters also raised questions about public safety when incidents spill off the pavement and into sensitive coastal habitat.

Institutionally, the incident underscores how Monroe County law enforcement relies on interagency support for pursuits that cross jurisdictional and geographic boundaries. Coordination with federal and state partners allowed deputies to secure the suspect in a complex environment that combined roadway, wetlands, and open water. At the same time, the response required redirecting personnel and assets that could otherwise be focused on routine patrols and marine enforcement in the Keys.

For residents, the episode is a reminder of the risks posed by high-speed driving on a narrow, heavily traveled corridor and how quickly a traffic stop can become a multiagency response. The sheriff’s office has said the investigation remains active and that additional charges are possible as evidence is reviewed.

The takeaway? Slow down on the Overseas Highway, note your nearest MM marker if you need to report an incident, and expect that reckless driving can quickly create safety and traffic headaches for the whole community. Our two cents? Report dangerous drivers when safe to do so and give law enforcement room to secure scenes so traffic and coastal areas can return to normal.