OCEAN CITY — A Turkish national living in West Ocean City was arrested on multiple traffic and drug charges early Thursday morning after a high-speed chase in the downtown area that nearly resulted in a collision with a pedestrian.

Around 2:20 a.m. on Thursday, an Ocean City police officer on patrol in the area of 28^th Street observed a Ford Focus heading south on Philadelphia Avenue drifting from lane to lane. The officer followed the vehicle south as it continued to swerve in and out of lanes and speeding. The officer initially tracked the vehicle driving 48 mph in a 35-mph zone.

The officer initiated a traffic stop by activating the patrol vehicle’s lights and siren, but the Ford Focus continued south, accelerating to 56 mph at one point. When the car reached the area of 15^th Street, its path was blocked by traffic in each lane ahead with brake lights. The Ford Focus abruptly turned west on 15^th Street, ran through a stop sign at St. Louis Avenue and nearly struck a pedestrian, who had to jump out of the way to avoid being struck in the crosswalk.

The vehicle was eventually pulled over on St. Louis Avenue between 15^th and 14^th streets. The driver, Yusuf Agduman, 21, exited the vehicle and was handcuffed and taken into custody. The officer noted in his report a strong odor of burnt marijuana was detected in the vehicle and on Agduman’s person and the person of his passenger, Onur Bolaca. Officers also located a plastic pipe with marijuana residue in the console.

Another OCPD officer responded to assist and backtracked along the path the Ford Focus took during the chase and discovered marijuana wrapped in a napkin on the corner of St. Louis Avenue and 15^th Street that was seen being thrown from the passenger side window during the chase. Throughout the vehicle, OCPD officers found other marijuana and paraphernalia wrapped in similar paper napkins.

Meanwhile, the initial officer questioned Agduman about why he fled. According to police reports, Agduman told police he believed the police cruiser with lights flashing and siren activated was an ambulance and that he was merely trying to get out of the way. He allegedly told police he thought the officer’s vehicle was an ambulance because he was not advised to pull over. Agduman was arrested and charged with multiple traffic and drug violations, while Bolaca was also arrested and charged with drug violations.