By-Line: Joseph Bober, Public Information Office FCSO
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a Palm Coast woman on multiple charges after she recklessly drove her car along a multi-use path to chase a teenager riding on an electric bicycle.
On June 7, the FCSO Communications Center received a 911 call from a man who reported that a woman in an SUV was driving on the Pine Lakes Path, a multiuse path for pedestrians and bicyclists that runs along Pine Lakes Parkway in Palm Coast, while chasing a juvenile on an e-bike. According to the caller, he had cut off the SUV at the intersection of Pine Lakes Parkway and Woodhaven Drive to prevent the woman from chasing the juvenile and called 911 as the juvenile fled.
The caller’s girlfriend, who was driving in a separate vehicle behind him, recorded video of the incident, which dispatchers were able to obtain utilizing Prepared Live. This software application allows 911 callers to voluntarily share images or video directly from their phones to dispatchers.
Deputies responded to the scene to interview the witnesses and review the video. The caller told deputies that he had noticed the juvenile attempting to wave down passing cars while the SUV was only 6 to 10 feet behind and chasing him, leading the witness to intervene and block the vehicle.
Based on vehicle information provided by the caller, deputies determined the suspect to be Julia Kalthof, 65, of Palm Coast. However, the juvenile victim was initially unknown as he had left the scene.
During the investigation, deputies interviewed both Kalthof and the 14-year-old victim, whose parents learned of the incident the next day and reported it to law enforcement.
Kalthof told deputies that the incident occurred because she was angry at the victim for riding his e-bike too fast and wanted to find out where he lived so she could speak to his parents.
The victim told deputies that Kalthof screamed at him, cut him off, and nearly struck him, causing him to fear for his life. The victim also provided deputies with a video showing Kalthof driving aggressively on the Pine Lakes Path behind him.
On June 10, based on evidence obtained during the investigation, deputies arrested Kalthof for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill and reckless driving. Deputies also issued Kalthof a uniform traffic citation for driving along the multi-use path.
Julia Kalthof (Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility mugshot)
“This woman caused a dangerous situation with her reckless and aggressive behavior and could have seriously hurt or killed not just the child she was chasing, but anyone who happened to be walking or biking on that path,” said Sheriff Rick Staly. “I’m thankful that nobody was hurt, or she could be facing even more serious charges. I also want to thank the bystander who stopped a dangerous situation and called 911 so that our deputies could handle it, conduct their investigation, and arrest this driver who needs anger management.”
According to Florida law, an e-bike is a vehicle to the same extent as a bicycle. E-bikes may be ridden wherever bicycles are allowed, including streets, highways, roadways, shoulders, bicycle lanes, and bicycle or multi-use paths.
“E-bikes are becoming more and more prevalent in Palm Coast, and the riders need to control their speed and recklessness too,” Sheriff Staly added. “The legislature needs to give us the new laws to address the behavior of these riders, such as limiting the allowed speed riders can go, just like cars.”
Kalthof was transported to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility, where she was later released on a $3,000 bond.
