Ex-FSU cornerback accused of 150-mph Hillsborough chase while refusing to let woman out of SUV, FHP says

A former Florida State University cornerback is accused of leading Florida Highway Patrol troopers on a chase that topped 150 mph through Hillsborough County early Saturday, Oct. 10, while a woman in his SUV repeatedly begged him to stop and let her out, according to an FHP arrest affidavit. Chauncey "Chuck" Kennon, 18, of Manatee County, faces felony charges of aggravated fleeing to elude and false imprisonment, plus a misdemeanor charge of resisting an officer without violence.

Kennon, a freshman who arrived in Tallahassee as the top-rated recruit in FSU's 2026 class, was dismissed from the Seminoles football program on Tuesday, Oct. 13. A university spokesperson cited "conduct detrimental to the team," FOX 35 reported. WFLA reported Wednesday on FHP dashcam video from the pursuit.

How the chase began

According to the FHP affidavit, as reported by FOX 35, the incident started around 2 a.m. when a Hillsborough County sheriff's deputy clocked a Dodge SUV going 70 mph in a 50 mph zone near State Road 60 and South Maydell Drive in Tampa. FOX 35 and WTXL place the chase early Saturday, Oct. 10, while some other outlets reported it as early Sunday, Oct. 11; the reason for the difference in published accounts was not immediately clear, and all agree the pursuit began around 2 a.m.

As the deputy and an FHP trooper tried to catch up, the SUV sped up to 90 mph. The trooper turned on his emergency lights and siren, but the driver kept going and a pursuit followed, FHP said.

Near the intersection of State Road 60 and U.S. 301, the SUV ran a red light while other vehicles were crossing, the affidavit states. The driver, later identified by troopers as Kennon, swerved to avoid a crash and struck a raised curb.

The SUV then continued east on State Road 60, reaching speeds of more than 150 mph in multiple 50 mph zones, according to FHP. The driver turned south onto Interstate 75. The pursuing trooper's patrol car hit 140 mph, but the SUV kept pulling away, the affidavit says.

How it ended

A short time later, another trooper spotted the SUV near U.S. 41 and Big Bend Road in the Apollo Beach area. Its front right tire was flat, which troopers said was consistent with the earlier collision with the curb.

The SUV eventually came to a stop on the westbound shoulder of Big Bend Road near Wyandotte Road because the damage had disabled it, troopers said. According to the affidavit, the driver got out and ran east, then turned north toward an industrial plant.

Troopers and Hillsborough County sheriff's deputies set up a perimeter, and aviation and K-9 units joined the search. Investigators said the dashcam video showed Kennon leaving the vehicle. Troopers also found an unlocked cellphone inside the SUV containing images of Kennon wearing a gold chain that matched one seen in the video and in his driver's license photo, the affidavit states.

What the woman told troopers

Around 3:35 a.m., a trooper searching the area found a woman with cuts on her arm whose clothing was covered in dirt, blood and grass, according to the affidavit.

The woman at first gave investigators a different account of how she had ended up there. After being advised of her rights, she told troopers she had been in Ybor City with Kennon before he began driving recklessly, FHP said.

She told investigators she became frightened and asked Kennon more than 10 times to stop and let her out because she feared for her safety, but he refused, according to the affidavit. She said she held onto her seat belt as he kept driving at high speed.

Troopers cited her account, the dashcam footage and their identification of Kennon as the basis for the charges. The woman has not been publicly identified.

The charges

Kennon was arrested on Monday, Oct. 12, and booked into the Hillsborough County jail system. WTXL reported that he turned himself in. He faces three counts, according to the FHP affidavit and booking records cited by Tampa Bay and Tallahassee outlets.

Under Florida's sentencing statutes, a second-degree felony carries a maximum of 15 years in prison, a third-degree felony up to five years and a first-degree misdemeanor up to one year in jail. Maximum penalties are rarely imposed on first-time defendants, and any sentence would depend on the outcome of the case.

Tallahassee station WCTV reported that a judge set bonds totaling $8,000 and ordered Kennon to have no contact with the woman, according to Sports Illustrated's FSU coverage. The charges are accusations, and Kennon is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

FSU's response

Florida State confirmed Kennon's dismissal Tuesday but did not say whether it was directly tied to his arrest, FOX 35 reported. Head coach Mike Norvell addressed the move during a media availability.

"Yeah, he's no longer part of the program. Obviously, disappointing," Norvell said, as quoted by WTXL. The coach said Kennon did not fulfill the expectations the program sets for its players.

Kennon was a five-star prospect at Booker High School in Sarasota before signing with Florida State. ESPN ranked him as the sixth-best cornerback and 56th-best overall player in the class of 2026, according to WTXL. He appeared in one game for the Seminoles this season, playing a single snap against Virginia on Oct. 3, FOX 35 reported.

What's next

Kennon's case will proceed in Hillsborough County circuit court, where prosecutors with the 13th Judicial Circuit State Attorney's Office will decide whether to formally file the charges as recommended by FHP. No court date had been publicly reported as of Wednesday. His football future is also uncertain: having been dismissed by FSU, he would need another program to take him if he hopes to continue his college career.