In the picture, they’re coming up on the 301 overpass. Once you’re past this point, it’s pretty much nothing but swamp and farmland for 25-30 miles until you hit Lakeland. He could’ve taken the exit to 301 by the Florida State Fairgrounds, but even there, he wouldn’t have been safe. The speed limit in that area is 65, so he was likely driving at a decent clip if not faster given the circumstances.
Being pursued, shot at, and trying to communicate with a 911 dispatcher, the brain is likely to be so frazzled that getting off the interstate didn’t even present as a valid option.
Right, it’s just too bad he didn’t know the area - there is a police station just N on the Orient Rd exit. And the Orient Rd jail is to the south about a mile. There are always some sheriff presence there.