Fugitive Wanted in 2012 Fatal Wrong-Way Crash Captured in Spain

WESLEY CHAPEL, FL — The search for a man wanted in connection with a 2012 wrong-way crash on Interstate 275 that left a Wesley Chapel man dead has ended in Spain. The Florida Highway Patrol announced Wednesday that Christopher Ponce was arrested by police in that country.

Ponce was wanted in connection with a July 19, 2012, crash on I-275 near Interstate 4. Troopers said Ponce, who was 22 at the time, was driving a Ford Fusion southbound in the northbound lanes just before 3 a.m. Ponce’s Fusion struck a Ford Mustang driven by William Brooks Angel, 20, head on, a highway patrol report said.

Angel died at the scene. Two passengers in Angel’s car were taken to a local hospital with serious injuries.

Ponce also suffered serious injuries in the crash. He was arrested on July 20, 2012, after release from Tampa General Hospital. Troopers charged him with DUI manslaughter, vehicular homicide, two counts of reckless driving involving serious bodily injury and two counts of DUI with serious bodily injury.

Ponce was booked into the Hillsborough County Jail. He was later released on bond, but was ordered to wear an ankle monitor. Ponce, however, slipped that monitor and hadn’t been again until his arrest in Spain. Authorities have not said where in Spain Ponce was located or if he has been there since 2012.

The multiyear search for Ponce captured national and international attention. CNN’s “The Hunt,” hosted by John Walsh, put a spotlight on the case back in 2014.

How soon Ponce will return to Hillsborough County to face charges remains unclear. Sgt. Steve Gaskins of the highway patrol said the extradition process has begun, but it “is expected to take several months.”

2012 booking photo of Christopher Ponce courtesy of the Hillsborough County Jail