PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — An 18-year-old man is facing multiple charges after allegedly driving under the influence and nearly colliding head-on with a police sergeant, according to the Port St. Lucie Police Department.
The incident occurred on Nov. 1 when a Port Saint Lucie Police Department sergeant was driving home from his shift and was forced to swerve to avoid a near head-on crash with a vehicle, according to a statement. After the close call, the sergeant alerted dispatch and provided the make and model of the vehicle, concerned for the safety of other drivers.
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Using his spotlight, the sergeant attempted to warn nearby vehicles while keeping track of the suspect vehicle, which had two additional passengers inside. The suspect eventually stopped, though he remained in the wrong lane of traffic.
Upon approaching the vehicle, the sergeant reportedly smelled a strong odor of alcohol and noticed an empty can of Twisted Tea inside.
Body camera footage shows officers questioning the suspect about driving the wrong way while intoxicated. The 18-year-old mumbles a response, to which an officer replies,"We don’t want to hear it, okay?”
As he’s being placed under arrest, the suspect tells the officers, “You got to do what you got to do, boss. I hate you guys.”
The St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office took over the investigation due to jurisdiction and confirmed that the suspect was under the influence at the time of the incident.
The suspect was arrested and charged with driving under the influence and fleeing and eluding, according to the department.
