A deputy who spotted a pack of five motorcyclists going across the Marler Bridge in Destin at an estimated 70 miles per hour in a 35 mile an hour zone was able to take one of the drivers into custody after a brief chase, acording to an Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office report.
The deputy said the motorcyclists were heading into Destin around 9:30 Thursday night at a high rate of speed. When he attempted a traffic stop, they scattered different directions but he followed one that had no tail lights into the parking lot of the Emerald Grande at 10 Harbor Boulevard.
The driver left the parking lot and headed west on Highway 98 in the eastbound lanes for about fifty feet before jumping the median and heading across Okaloosa Island at speeds in excess of 80 miles an hour.
The driver of the 2001 Harley stopped approximately two miles later. He was identified as 43-year old Rick Cook of Fort Walton Beach. According to the release, Cook told the deputy he ran because his license is suspended. Cook is now charged with fleeting and eluding with disregard to the safety of other persons or property, and driving with a suspended license.
Cook has two prior convictions for driving with a suspended license.