LAKE CITY, Fla. — An escaped inmate was caught Thursday night following a car wreck on Interstate 75 that afternoon led to a search of northern Columbia County.

James E. Bolding Jr., a 49-year-old from Sneads, stole a 2004 City of Sneads pickup truck late Thursday morning, approximately 11:50 a.m. CST, while on a work detail from Apalachee West.

The escaped inmate then headed east on Interstate 10 and at the I-10/I-75 interchange in northern Columbia County, the suspect hit a parked car on the left shoulder of I-75 around 3:20 p.m., according to a Florida Highway Patrol report.

The suspect abandoned the stolen vehicle a short distance later and fled on foot leading to a search that included FHP, the Department of Corrections and deputies from Suwannee, Alachua and Columbia counties, according to FHP.

The search included K-9 units and a helicopter.

Bolding was captured around 6:30 p.m. near mile marker 433 on the west side of I-75.

He has been charged with hit and run as well as grand theft. Additional charges will be forthcoming from DOC.

He has previously served time on charges for burglary and grand theft among others.

During the search for Bolding, the Suwannee County Sheriff’s Office urged residents in northeast Suwannee County to make sure their vehicles were secure and house doors were locked.