A 65-year-old Palm Coast woman was arrested for driving her SUV down a multi-use pedestrian and bike path in pursuit of a 14-year-old boy riding an e-bike, according to the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office.
The June 7 incident occurred along the Pine Lakes Path, a multi-use trail running parallel to Pine Lakes Parkway.
The Sheriff’s Office said it received a 911 call from a man who reported that the woman was dangerously chasing a frightened juvenile on an e-bike with her vehicle.
She later told police she was angry with the teen for riding his e-bike “too fast” and that she wanted to follow him home to speak to his parents.
The caller blocked the SUV at the intersection of Pine Lakes Parkway and Woodhaven Drive to stop the pursuit while his girlfriend, driving behind them, recorded the incident on video.
The video was shared with dispatchers in real time using a software tool called Prepared Live, which allows 911 callers to transmit live images and video from their phones.
Deputies arrived at the scene, interviewed witnesses, and reviewed the footage. The man who intervened told deputies the teen had been frantically trying to wave down other cars for help, while the SUV followed just feet behind him.
Through the license plate and vehicle description, deputies identified the suspect as Julia Kalthof.
The teen had initially fled the area, but the next day, his parents contacted law enforcement after learning about the incident. The victim later told deputies that Kalthof screamed at him, cut him off, and nearly hit him with her SUV, prompting him to fear for his life.
He also provided video evidence of her aggressive driving on the trail.
Kalthof admitted to deputies that she was mad at the boy for riding his e-bike too fast and said she wanted to follow him home to speak with his parents.
On June 10, Kalthof was arrested and charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill and reckless driving.
She also received a traffic citation for illegally driving on the multi-use path. She was booked into the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility and later released on a $3,000 bond.
“This woman caused a dangerous situation with her reckless and aggressive behavior,” said Sheriff Rick Staly. “She could have seriously hurt or killed not just the child she was chasing, but anyone else using that path.”
Under Florida law, e-bikes are permitted on bike lanes and multi-use paths, the same as traditional bicycles.
