Marion County releases dash and body cam video of a chase and admits to having drugs when arrested

On April 15, 2023, at around 1:20 a.m., K9 Deputy Anthony Esquivel observed a vehicle traveling 75 MPH in a 45 MPH zone on Northeast Highway 314. As he began to follow the vehicle, the driver accelerated to approximately 100 MPH and turned eastbound on East Highway 40. Deputy Esquivel activated the lights and siren on his patrol vehicle and attempted to conduct a traffic stop, but the driver, Kaiden Wevodau Johnson (B/M, DOB: 10/24/2001), fled.

Wevodau Johnson fled eastbound on Highway 40 for several miles. He attempted to evade Deputy Esquivel by abruptly turning onto Northeast 10th Street Road before returning to Highway 40. Upon reaching the intersection of Highway 40 and Highway 314A, Wevodau Johnson drove through a parking lot, made several circles around a vehicle stopped at the intersection, and then fled southbound on Highway 314A. Deputy Esquivel continued to pursue Wevodau Johnson and utilized his in-car PA system in an attempt to convince him to surrender.

After making an additional U-turn, Wevodau Johnson traveled north on Highway 314A to Highway 40 and headed westbound. Master Sergeant Jeremiah Jones positioned himself ahead of the pursuit and prepared to deploy stop sticks, which were successful in disabling three of the vehicle’s tires.

With the tires disabled, Wevodau Johnson decided to surrender in the 15000 block of East Highway 40. He was taken into custody and stated he was in possession of drugs. Deputies located a black bag he was carrying, which contained cocaine and marijuana. It was also discovered that Wevodau Johnson’s driver’s license was suspended.

Wevodau Johnson was arrested for Fleeing to Elude a Law Enforcement Officer (with High Speed or Reckless Driving), Possession of Cocaine, Possession of Marijuana, and Driving with a Suspended License. He was transported to the Marion County Jail.