MARION COUNTY, Fla. – Marion County deputies say a woman played dead to escape the man who was choking her Wednesday and after the attack, the suspect crashed his vehicle attempting to flee arrest.
The sheriff’s office said Michael Douglas Bishop, 29, is accused of grabbing the woman by the hair and slapping her with the back of his hand. The incident occurred while the victim and suspect were inside a vehicle.
The victim told deputies she attempted to get out of the vehicle but Bishop pulled her hair throwing her onto her back.
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Deputies said Bishop started to choke the victim and the woman decided to play dead in an attempt to end the attack.
The sheriff’s office said Bishop got up and left once the woman pretended to be dead.
She was able to make a call for help once he left, according to deputies.
“She was able to get a phone and call 911 and we were nearby in the area and not too far away from the airport so the helicopter was able to get out there and quickly locate the vehicle,” Sgt. Paul Bloom said.
The sheriff’s office and investigators in an Air-One helicopter started the search for Bishop and he was spotted going southbound on Southwest 60th Avenue.
“It was very scary, I was one of the ones that responded out there when I first pulled up one of the first things I saw lying in the road was a child stroller, so when you see something like that, your worst fears go over,” Bloom said.
Investigators said deputies attempted to initiate a traffic stop. Bishop drove away down West Highway 40, according to deputies.
The sheriff’s office said Bishop ran a red light and crashed into another vehicle.
People in the other vehicle were transported to a local hospital with minor injuries.
“There were three individuals in that car and a dog and everyone survived and had very minor injuries,” Bloom said.
Bishop was taken to a local hospital and is in critical condition.
The suspect has been arrested for violent behavior before, according to deputies.
He is facing charges of battery by strangulation and aggravated fleeing/eluding.
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