Third Teen-Ager Is Arrested in Attacks on Florida Highway

Police investigating a string of rock-throwing and sniper attacks along one of the busiest gateways for tourists visiting Florida arrested a third teen-ager Thursday in the wounding of a motorist.

Investigators said there could be more arrests in the nine-month rash of attacks on the 20-mile beltway around Jacksonville. As many as 150 National Guardsmen kept up patrols with camouflaged vehicles and helicopters.

“I think it is premature to say we’ve solved the problem out there,” Sheriff Jim McMillan said.

Two teen-agers were arrested earlier this week and charged with attempted murder for allegedly firing shots on July 29 into a car driven by Debra Lewis. A bullet hit her ear and lodged in her jaw.

“I’m shocked it was kids, but I’m happy someone was caught,” Lewis said.

Jason Dixon, 19, was arrested Thursday and accused of stealing a car that was later used by the other two teen-agers charged in the shooting, Jacksonville sheriff’s Sgt. Gus Carlson said.

The attack was among more than 30 in which shots were fired at motorists or rocks or other heavy objects were hurled at their cars. A man was killed on July 4 when his car was hit by a piece of concrete and it crashed. Three other people were injured, including Lewis.

Last week, the National Guard began dusk-to-dawn patrols of the beltway, which carries an estimated 80,000 vehicles a day, after the American Automobile Assn. warned motorists to avoid it. Many tourists from the north use that route. AAA officials said they are not ready to drop the warning.