High-speed chase from Holiday accident scene ends in three-car crash

HOLIDAY — Authorities say Adam L. Reppert led deputies on a high-speed chase for 4 miles that ended in a crash on U.S. 19 Wednesday evening.

Here is what happened, according to the Pasco Sheriff's Office: Reppert, a 20-year-old from Spring Hill, was a passenger in a tan Chevrolet Lumina with some friends coming back from Clearwater Beach when the female driver crashed into a truck at Forest Hills Drive and Harpoon Drive in Holiday. When the woman got out to talk with the other driver, Reppert allegedly got behind the wheel of the Lumina and drove off, with a deputy soon on his tail, trying to pull him over.

A report says Reppert drove at high speeds, blowing through stop signs and pulling out in front of other cars. The chase ended on U.S. 19 at Marine Parkway in New Port Richey when the Lumina rear-ended a car stopped at a red light, causing a chain-reaction three-car crash.

Kevin Doll, spokesman for the Sheriff's Office, said all involved declined medical treatment.

Reppert was charged with aggravated fleeing and eluding. He was held at the Land O'Lakes jail in lieu of $10,000 bail. Doll said the Florida Highway Patrol could add more charges against Reppert.

Reppert told deputies he drove off from the first crash scene because a man pointed a gun at him and he "freaked out.''

Melissa Harman, a 19-year-old from Hudson who was a passenger in the Lumina, was arrested on a warrant for violating her probation for battery. As of Thursday, she was detained in lieu of $5,000 bail.

A belligerent man who showed up at the final crash scene was arrested on a charge of obstructing police work, the report says. Randy L. Pearsall, a 21-year-old from Port Richey, was released Thursday on $150 bail.

Doll said Pearsall is Harman's boyfriend and it seems Pearsall and Reppert have had an ongoing dispute.

Erin Sullivan can be reached at esullivan@sptimes.com or (727) 869-6229.