Foursome pushes trooper’s car during wild police chase

OCALA, Florida — An Ocala woman faces criminal charges and the possible loss of her car following a wild police chase.

It began as an attempted traffic stop on Baseline Road, spilled onto nearby residential streets, and led onto a golf course, where befuddled players watched the strange episode unfold. Four players eventually helped the Florida Highway Patrol trooper free his car after it got stuck on the course.

At one point, the pursuing trooper temporarily succeeded in stopping Sanaiya Williams. He pointed his gun and his Taser at her. She got back into her car, drove off, and the chase continued.

This dashcam video screen capture shows Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Mario Rodriguez Gonzalez during a traffic stop of Sanaiya Williams.
Williams, 19, a native of Philadelphia who moved to the Ocala area four years ago, eventually was arrested following the chase, which began about 7:10 p.m. on July 14 on Baseline (also known as State Road 35.)

She is charged with felony fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer/disregard for safety, one misdemeanor count of resisting or obstructing an officer without violence, and multiple traffic violations including improper U-turn and running stop signs, according to court records. The cases are pending.

Meanwhile, in civil court, the FHP is trying to seize Williams’ black 2019 Dodge Charger, arguing that the vehicle should be considered contraband because it was used in the commission of a felony.

Through a public records request, the Ocala Star-Banner obtained a copy of the trooper’s dashcam video. The Star-Banner also reviewed court filings and spoke in person and by email with Williams.

It all started with an attempt at a routine traffic stop

According to Trooper Mario Rodriguez Gonzalez’s arrest affidavit, he was stationed on Baseline Road (SR 35) in his marked FHP unit at about 7:10 p.m. July 14 when he noticed a black Dodge Charger with “very dark window tint” traveling south at a “very high rate of speed.” It was passing other traffic and making a loud exhaust noise.

The trooper estimated the Charger’s speed at 80 mph.

The trooper followed the Charger for a time. It changed lanes and then made a “quick right turn” into a residential area, the affidavit states.

This screen capture from the trooper’s dashcam shows Sanaiya Williams driving her 2019 Dodge Charger on the Baseline Golf Course on July 14.
The trooper saw the Charger “traveling at a high rate of speed” and…