A motorist was sentenced to 12 months probation for leading police on a chase north from Bridge Street through Bradenton Beach.
Mark Goodwin, 24, of Cortez, was initially charged with a second-degree felony of fleeing and eluding. On July 7, the state reduced the charge to resisting arrest with violence and Goodwin pleaded guilty.
No life-threatening injuries were reported after the December 2016 chase ended in a crash at the S-curve in the 2000 block of Gulf Drive North.
Bradenton Beach Police Officer Steve Masi reported an excessive number of people in the vehicle and that the chase reached 80 mph in the 1800 block of Gulf Drive North.
Twelfth Circuit Judge Hunter Carroll withheld judgment against Goodwin. The judge ordered probation, including 75 hours of public service work and a driver improvement course. He also ordered Goodwin to send a letter of apology to Masi. According to the 12th Circuit Court website, Goodwin was assessed $1,423 in court fines and costs in the felony case and $415 for traffic violations.