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Michael Jerome Austin

Age : 18

Gender : Male

Race : Black

Date : 01/05/2026

Location : 1800 block of 17th Street East

City : Palmetto

County : Manatee

State : Florida

Agency : Manatee County Sheriff’s Office

Officer(s) :Not Disclosed

Cause of Death : Vehicle

Event : Driver killed by police chase crash

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

On 01/05/2026, Manatee County Sheriff’s Office deputies attempted to stop a vehicle reported stolen in the Palmetto area. Police said the driver did not stop and deputies escalated a pursuit. Deputies chased the vehicle through city streets until it entered the 1800 block of 17th Street East, where it left the roadway and overturned. Deputies located 18-year-old Michael Jerome Austin of Ruskin inside the crashed vehicle. Emergency personnel transported him to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Law enforcement stated the vehicle had been reported stolen prior to the attempted stop. The Florida Highway Patrol is conducting the crash investigation.

SOURCE LINKS :

https://www.bradenton.com/news/local/crime/article289301035.html
https://www.fox13news.com/news/suspected-car-thief-killed-rollover-crash-mcso
https://www.mysuncoast.com/2026/01/teen-driver-dies-crash-after-fleeing-deputies-stolen-vehicle/