Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Derek Gean Stacy, 38, has been charged with five felonies and four misdemeanors after allegedly crashing into a guard rail while impaired, running from officers, and dropping trafficking quantities of drugs as he ran.

At about 2:23 a.m. this morning, an Alachua County Sheriff’s Deputy reportedly saw a car leaving the Circle K at 3509 SW Williston Road at a high rate of speed, with no lights on. The deputy reported that the car went north on I-75 at about 120 mph, still with no lights.

The deputy activated his lights and siren, and the car reportedly continued at a high rate of speed, weaving between lanes and vehicles on I-75. The car exited at Newberry Road, reportedly cutting off several vehicles and running a red light. The car hit a guard rail and became disabled, then the driver, later identified as Stacy, allegedly ran from law enforcement. As he ran, he reportedly dropped about 25 grams of MDPV.

Stacy was taken into custody by a K-9 team. A search of his car reportedly produced six more grams of MDPV, and powdered cocaine was found on the driver’s seat. The deputy reported that Stacy smelled of alcohol, had bloodshot eyes, slurred his words, and was unable to stand. He reportedly declined to produce a breath sample.

Stacy has been charged with driving under the influence, possession of trafficking quantities of phenethylamines, cocaine possession, fleeing law enforcement at high speed, leaving the scene of a crash with property damage, driving without a valid license, keeping a car for the purpose of drug activity, possession of a controlled substance, and resisting an officer.

Stacy has at least four convictions for driving without a valid license. He also has nine felony convictions (two violent) and 10 other misdemeanor convictions (one violent). He has served six state prison sentences, with his most recent release in 2020, and he is on pre-trial release for a charge of possession of over 80 grams of phenethylamines from May 2023. His pre-trial release conditions specify that he is not to possess or consume alcohol or illegal drugs.

Judge Tatum Davis set bail at $197,500.

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.