URGENT UPDATE: A shocking incident on the Florida Turnpike has led to the arrest of a 53-year-old man, Mark Ernest Hetzel, for allegedly stalking and chasing his ex-girlfriend, Amy Grace Price, over 40 miles. Authorities report that Hetzel was apprehended after a harrowing car chase that left the victim fearing for her life.
The ordeal began on Saturday, as Price called 911 around 4:30 p.m. to report that Hetzel was following her vehicle near Glades Road. According to police, Hetzel had been waiting on the highway shoulder before merging onto the roadway, where he “repeatedly cut her off in traffic” and even attempted to “run her off the road.” The chase spanned from mile marker 93 to 117 in Jupiter, with the Florida Highway Patrol maintaining contact with Price throughout the dangerous pursuit.
Authorities revealed that Hetzel had previously sent a chilling text message to Price, stating, “You are dead,” just days before the incident. This message, combined with the aggressive driving behavior during the chase, provided law enforcement with sufficient grounds to charge him with felony aggravated stalking.
Upon his arrest, Hetzel allegedly told officers that he and Price had been in a relationship for nearly three years. After being booked into the Palm Beach County Jail, he was released on a $100,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court on January 19.
This terrifying episode is not isolated; it coincides with a tragic event earlier that day when an elderly woman was fatally stabbed while shopping at a Barnes & Noble in Palm Beach Gardens. The ongoing incidents have intensified discussions about safety and the need for stronger protective measures during the busy holiday season.
Authorities have urged anyone facing similar threats to seek help immediately. The case remains under investigation, and the community is left to grapple with the emotional impact of these violent acts.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops.
