Deputies catch fleeing suspect who beat up ex-girlfriend and locked her in trunk

DELAND, Fla. (FOX 35 WOFL) - The Volusia County Sheriff's Office says that they have taken a DeLand man in custody on Tuesday for beating his girlfriend, locking her in the trunk of a car, and fleeing from Volusia County sheriff's deputies at speeds reaching 120 mph.

They say that the incident began Monday night at the Family Food market on W. Euclid Avenue in DeLand. Deputies responded their around 9 p.m. in reference to an abduction. The victim told deputies that her ex-boyfriend, 42-year-old Darrian Miler, demanded she drive him somewhere.

The victim went on to tell deputies that she did drive him, but when they arrived to the 600 block of Margaret Street, he demanded she get out of the car. She refused, so Miler got out, went to the driver's door, punched the victim several times, and popped the trunk. He took her cell phone, bank card, and money. Then, he forced her into the trunk, punching her several more times, and closed the lid.

The sheriff's office went on to say that the victim said she used the trunk release to open the lid and screamed for help. Residents in the area began to gather. Miler punched the victim some more and tried to close the trunk on her again, but she was able to escape and run toward the Family Food Market. 

Deputies who are the scene with the victim confirmed that her face was swollen, shirt was covered in blood, and the shirt's neck had been ripped. Miler had already fled the area in the victim's vehicle.

Deputies went on to say that the vehicle Miler was driving was spotted just after midnight in the area of Champions Gate Drive and LPGA Boulevard in Daytona Beach. Miler fled from the Daytona Beach police and headed back to DeLand on International Speedway Boulevard, where he reached speeds of 120 mph.

Deputies are reported to have used stop sticks on the vehicle. Miler eventually stopped and surrendered at 1385 Julie Avenue. He complained of back pain and was taken to Florida Hospital DeLand to be medically cleared before transport to the Volusia County Branch Jail, where he was held without bond on charges of Carjacking, Kidnapping, False Imprisonment, Robbery, Tampering with a Witness, Felony Battery, Fleeing or Attempting to Elide Law Enforcement, and Driving While License Suspended.