A fugitive’s journey to freedom came to an end in Polk County on Thursday morning.

According to a news release, 27-year-old Bartley Joseph Jude Gorman was arrested at an RV park in Fort Meade around 11 a.m. 

Troopers say Gorman was wanted for DUI manslaughter after a hit-and-run crash that left a man dead in Broward County more than seven years ago.  

In Oct. 2011, troopers say Gorman slammed into another vehicle, causing it to spin out of control and land in a canal. Yvon Pierre, the passenger in the other vehicle was unable to swim and ultimately drowned. Troopers say Gorman fled the scene and was later found lying on the grass in an undisclosed location. His blood alcohol level was 0.18 and a warrant was issued for charges of DUI Manslaughter, Leaving the Scene of a Crash, Vehicular Homicide and DUI Property Damage. 

Shortly after the incident, Gorman fled the South Florida area and spent years using fraudulent driver’s licenses to mask his identity. 

Through various investigative techniques and extensive surveillance throughout the Polk County area, troopers located Gorman at the Hammock Lake RV Park in Fort Meade.

 He was taken to the Polk County Jail to face charges of DUI Manslaughter, Vehicular Homicide, DUI Property Damage, Leaving the Scene of a Crash Involving Death, and Possession of Fraudulent Identification.

 Catherine Ann Gallagher, 23, an acquaintance was also arrested for harboring a fugitive. 

No further details are immediately available.