A high-speed chase through DeFuniak Springs ended in the dirt early Thursday morning after a black Volkswagen sedan, clocked at 90 miles per hour, spun out during a routine traffic stop. Walton County deputies recovered over 100 grams of methamphetamine and a loaded handgun from the wreckage, leading to the arrest of a local man and woman.
The incident began around 5 a.m. on U.S. Highway 90 near Cottonwood Boulevard. A deputy attempted to pull over the vehicle for a broken taillight, but the driver, 35-year-old Fabian Joseph Rutherford, reportedly floored the accelerator instead.
The pursuit was short-lived; Rutherford lost control of the car, causing it to spin across the pavement. Deputies quickly moved in with a controlled stopping technique to pin the vehicle and prevent further danger to the public.
Rutherford reportedly scrambled out of the driver’s side window to run but surrendered on the ground about 10 feet away as deputies closed the gap. His passenger, 19-year-old Jada Jay Urich, also tried to flee on foot before being apprehended. Both individuals were found carrying syringes at the time of their arrest.
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A subsequent search of the Volkswagen turned up a significant haul of contraband, including 116.2 grams of methamphetamine and 3.9 grams of fentanyl. Investigators also seized a loaded firearm, various prescription narcotics—including Suboxone tablets and Buprenorphine patches—and a collection of scales and plastic bags.
Later, while being processed at the Walton County Jail, staff discovered additional methamphetamine hidden inside Urich’s clothing.
Rutherford is no stranger to the Florida prison system. Records show he has served four separate sentences totaling over 11 years, with his most recent release occurring in November 2025.
He now faces a long list of new charges, including trafficking methamphetamine, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and fleeing and eluding. Urich faces similar trafficking and possession charges, along with a count for smuggling contraband into a detention facility.
Both remain in custody at the Walton County Jail awaiting their first court appearance.
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