The impact drugs have on our community is heart-wrenching, especially when they affect our furry friends. WARNING – This video contains disturbing footage involving some dogs; however, both dogs are ok. On January 6th, around 12:45 am, our Key Peninsula graveyard deputies conducted what would have been a typical traffic stop for expired registration over three years, turned into a much bigger issue when the vehicle decided to accelerate and elude the traffic stop. The pursuit lasted less than 30 seconds when the vehicle failed to negotiate a T-intersection and crashed into an embankment. A large dog was ejected from the front windshield and fled the scene. A male driver and female passenger were taken into custody, and drugs and drug paraphernalia were located on the male driver. Another small dog was located behind the driver’s seat.
The 39-year-old male was arrested for several charges, which included eluding with endangerment, driving under the influence, driving while license was suspended in the 1st degree, unlawful possession of a controlled substance, and animal cruelty in the second degree. The vehicle was taken for a search warrant. There was no probable cause for the 28-year-old female. She was the owner of both dogs and was released on the scene with her little dog so she could go get her larger dog that fled to a nearby property. Both dogs were ok. This is another incident showing the dangers of drug use and operating a vehicle. Nice work by both of these deputies and getting this driver off the road.