A high-speed chase in Gainesville ended in a dramatic crash Tuesday when 42-year-old Jessica Hord collided with a semi-truck on the Interstate-75 exit ramp at Williston Road.
According to Alachua County Sheriff’s deputies, Hord was the suspect in a carjacking incident that took place near South Main Street and Fifth Avenue in Gainesville. Authorities say she forcibly removed a male victim from his car before speeding away.
Deputies later spotted Hord driving recklessly, striking multiple vehicles while attempting to evade capture. Dashcam footage and witness reports reveal that the suspect’s BMW went airborne, jumped a median, and was driving westbound in the eastbound lanes.
Captain Chris Sims of the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office detailed how the chase briefly paused in a school zone before resuming after Gainesville police issued an alert for the same suspect.
The chase came to a violent end when Hord lost control near the off-ramp and slammed into a FedEx-branded semi-truck. The impact left the ramp blocked for hours, with authorities urging drivers to avoid the area.
While Hord suffered broken bones and was taken to a hospital, no other serious injuries were reported.
A History of Crime
Hord has a criminal record and was recently released from the Florida Department of Corrections on February 1 after serving time for drug-related charges. In January 2022, she was also convicted of grand theft auto and sentenced to one year in prison.
As of now, no formal charges have been listed, but Hord remains in custody at the Alachua County Jail as authorities continue their investigation.
This shocking case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of high-speed chases and reckless driving. Stay tuned for further updates as more details emerge.
