Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Donovan Benjamin Martin, 33, was arrested yesterday on drug and traffic charges after allegedly fleeing from troopers at over 100 mph on I-75 south of Gainesville.

At about 3:04 p.m. on February 9, a Florida Highway Patrol Trooper saw a black Nissan with a Wisconsin tag that failed to move over when passing a disabled vehicle on the shoulder. The trooper initiated a traffic stop, and Martin reportedly pulled over near the 377 mile marker (near Micanopy). The trooper reported that Martin seemed nervous and that he was shaking and sweating; he also reported that he could smell marijuana inside the vehicle, but when he asked Martin whether he had any marijuana, Martin reportedly said he did not. When the trooper asked Martin to get out so a probable cause search could be conducted, Martin allegedly put the vehicle in gear and sped away northbound.

The trooper turned on his lights and sirens and pursued the Nissan at speeds of “well over 100 mph.” The trooper reported that traffic was heavy, and Martin allegedly drove on the shoulder at speeds around 100 mph. The pursuit ended at the 385 mile marker when Martin crashed into the guardrail.

Post Miranda, Martin reportedly declined to answer any questions.

A search of the vehicle reportedly produced a box containing about a pound of marijuana and $2,762 in cash in small denominations, bundled with rubber bands.

Martin, whose listed address is in Georgia, has been charged with fleeing at high speed, possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell, and reckless driving. He has criminal records in Georgia, Kentucky, and Tennessee between 2014 and 2025 and a non-extraditable warrant out of Kentucky. Judge Susan Miller-Jones set bail at $350,000.

Articles about arrests are based on reports from law enforcement agencies. The charges listed are taken from the arrest report and/or court records and are only accusations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.