By Mark Price
The Charlotte Observer
BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — A man accused of driving the wrong way on U.S. 1 in Florida was intoxicated when he slammed head-on into a deputy’s patrol car, according to investigators.
And he did so while driving without a license, Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey said in a video shared Sept. 9 on Facebook.
The crash happened around 12:45 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 8, in Palm Shores, about a 60-mile drive southeast from Orlando.
Callers reported a motorist headed the wrong way was “running citizens off the road” on U.S. 1 near the Pineda Causeway, Ivey said.
Deputy Anthony Nunez was sent to intercept the driver, and dash camera video shows he stopped his patrol car as the suspect’s pickup sped toward him.
The suspect did not hit his brakes before slamming into the patrol car, the video shows.
The crash happened at a high rate of speed, but Nunez’s injuries were minimized by his seat belt and ballistic vest, Ivey said. The deputy’s injuries were minor and he is expected to make a full recovery.
“While this head-on collision happened to our deputy, it could have just as easily been a family of five driving home in their vehicle that were hit head-on,” Ivey said.
Details of the suspect’s injuries were not released, but video shows he was conscious after the crash, and seen opening the driver’s side door.
The suspect is charged with:
- Driving under the influence
- Driving under the influence with injury
- Driving under the influence with property damage
- Driving without a license
An ICE immigration detainer was also placed on the suspect, due to his expired work visa, Ivey said.
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