Us
Print
E-mail
Rate
FHP: Wreck suspect still on the run
 |
| A statewide manhunt continues for Michael Philpot, a 25-year-old Lake City man accused of fleeing the scene of a fatal wreck on Monday. He is described as 5 feet 10 inches tall and about 145 pounds. COURTESY PHOTO |
Man faces multiple charges following deadly vehicle wreck.
By TONY BRITT
tbritt@lakecityreporter.com
Law enforcement officials have intensified their search for Michael Philpot in connection with Monday’s fatal head-on collision which left Pamela L. Pafford dead and her 7-year-old son, Jordan Gibbons, in serious condition in an area hospital.
Philpot — who is wanted for fleeing the scene of a wreck with a death, fleeing the scene of a wreck with personal injury, and also is in violation of probation — fled the scene after his car collided with Pafford’s vehicle around 2:48 p.m., Monday, Florida Highway Patrol said.
Lt. Mike Burroughs, Florida Highway Patrol public affairs officer for Troop B, said the
manhunt for the 25-year-old Philpot is “actively engaged” and authorities are making progress.
“At this point, we feel we have enough intelligence and background to say that he’s still in the North Florida area,” Burroughs said. “We are making progress on locating him.”
Burroughs encouraged witnesses to look at photos and get a mental image of Philpot, actively look for him and call authorities if he’s seen.
Burroughs urged anyone who may be harboring Philpot to call law enforcement authorities.
“We can interview Philpot to obtain pertinent information relating to this traffic crash,” Burroughs said. “It’s just a matter of time before we close in on his location.”
A woman who called the Lake City Reporter Tuesday evening and identified herself as Debra Philpot Taylor and Michael Philpot’s sister, said his family is encouraging Michael to turn himself in.
“Michael, your entire family is encouraging you to do the right thing and turn yourself in,” she said. “We love you and please, please, just turn yourself in.”
She said the family has not had any contact with Philpot following Monday’s wreck and his family is worried about his well-being.
“The family would also like to say to Pam’s family that we are so sorry,” Taylor said. “Our hearts really go out to them. Words cannot express how we feel about what happened, and we don’t take it lightly, and we hope that they can forgive. That is sincerely from the entire Philpot family.”
According to Florida Highway Patrol reports, the wreck occurred near U.S. Highway 41 and Northwest Winfield Road when Philpot’s 2000 Oldsmobile Alero was traveling south on U.S. 41. Reports said his vehicle crossed into the northbound lane and collided with Pafford’s vehicle. FHP said Philpot ran from the scene after the wreck.
On Monday afternoon,
K-9 tracking units lost Philpot’s trail in the heavily wooded areas that surround the scene.
“Physical evidence developed through K-9 tracking has led us to believe Michael Philpot contacted someone by cell phone and was picked up and transported from the scene,” Burroughs said.
FHP issued a statewide lookout notification containing Philpot’s description. He is described as a black male, 5 feet 10 inches tall and described as being between 135-145 pounds.
“We are confident that as interrogations continue to unfold, we will make a successful capture of this fugitive from justice,” Burroughs said.
Philpot — who is wanted for fleeing the scene of a wreck with a death, fleeing the scene of a wreck with personal injury, and also is in violation of probation — fled the scene after his car collided with Pafford’s vehicle around 2:48 p.m., Monday, Florida Highway Patrol said.
Lt. Mike Burroughs, Florida Highway Patrol public affairs officer for Troop B, said the
manhunt for the 25-year-old Philpot is “actively engaged” and authorities are making progress.
“At this point, we feel we have enough intelligence and background to say that he’s still in the North Florida area,” Burroughs said. “We are making progress on locating him.”
Burroughs encouraged witnesses to look at photos and get a mental image of Philpot, actively look for him and call authorities if he’s seen.
Burroughs urged anyone who may be harboring Philpot to call law enforcement authorities.
“We can interview Philpot to obtain pertinent information relating to this traffic crash,” Burroughs said. “It’s just a matter of time before we close in on his location.”
A woman who called the Lake City Reporter Tuesday evening and identified herself as Debra Philpot Taylor and Michael Philpot’s sister, said his family is encouraging Michael to turn himself in.
“Michael, your entire family is encouraging you to do the right thing and turn yourself in,” she said. “We love you and please, please, just turn yourself in.”
She said the family has not had any contact with Philpot following Monday’s wreck and his family is worried about his well-being.
“The family would also like to say to Pam’s family that we are so sorry,” Taylor said. “Our hearts really go out to them. Words cannot express how we feel about what happened, and we don’t take it lightly, and we hope that they can forgive. That is sincerely from the entire Philpot family.”
According to Florida Highway Patrol reports, the wreck occurred near U.S. Highway 41 and Northwest Winfield Road when Philpot’s 2000 Oldsmobile Alero was traveling south on U.S. 41. Reports said his vehicle crossed into the northbound lane and collided with Pafford’s vehicle. FHP said Philpot ran from the scene after the wreck.
On Monday afternoon,
K-9 tracking units lost Philpot’s trail in the heavily wooded areas that surround the scene.
“Physical evidence developed through K-9 tracking has led us to believe Michael Philpot contacted someone by cell phone and was picked up and transported from the scene,” Burroughs said.
FHP issued a statewide lookout notification containing Philpot’s description. He is described as a black male, 5 feet 10 inches tall and described as being between 135-145 pounds.
“We are confident that as interrogations continue to unfold, we will make a successful capture of this fugitive from justice,” Burroughs said.
 |
||
| Reports indicate history of violence shared between Pafford and Philpot |
1 question wrote on Feb 20, 2008 7:56 AM: