May 26, 2026 – Charlotte County, FL
A man fleeing from a hit and run scene t-boned a Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office patrol vehicle and then fled on foot.
At around 10pm on Monday, May 25, deputies were looking for a vehicle that had been involved in a hit and run accident in the District 2 area of Port Charlotte. When they located the suspect’s black Hyundai SUV, they attempted a traffic stop on the vehicle in their marked patrol unit, utilizing their lights and sirens. The suspect vehicle did not stop and continued travelling along Edgewater Drive at a high rate of speed into the District 3 area.
The vehicle then turned into the Walgreen’s parking lot at the intersection of US 41/Tamiami Trail and exited onto 41 Southbound, then looped behind the McDonald’s and continued onto Oakley Street. At this time, the deputies deactivated the emergency lights and siren as they could no longer see the suspect vehicle. They continued to search the area, eventually coming to the intersection of Church Street. While crossing the intersection, the suspect vehicle turned onto Church Street, failing to stop at the stop sign. Due to the high speed at which the vehicle was travelling, the driver, identified as Norvell Johnson III (9/10/1995) was unable to avoid collision with the marked patrol unit. Johnson slammed into the passenger side of the patrol vehicle, rendering both inoperable, and then took off on foot.
“First and most importantly, I thank God that everyone walked away from this incident. I am happy to report that my deputies are both OK, albeit with some bumps and bruises. As for this young man, his reckless behavior could have resulted in a far more tragic situation. He can think about that right there in his cell at the Charlotte County Jail.”
Sheriff Bill Prummell
Additional deputies responded to the area and quickly set up a perimeter. After receiving a tip that Johnson had run through the parking garage at Sunseeker Resort, deputies concentrated on that area and found a set of footprints leading to the water. There, Johnson was located lying in the water with only his face visible as an apparent attempt to hide from law enforcement. He was placed under arrest and transported to a local hospital for clearance before being booked into the Charlotte County Jail on charges of driving with a suspended license, failure to stop after a crash, and child neglect due to having a juvenile in the vehicle during the incident. Due to being a habitual offender of driving without a license, Johnson is being held without bond.
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