The Associated Press
MARIANNA, Fla. — A Jackson County sheriff’s reserve deputy was suspended Friday for his arrest after a hit-and-run accident in the Panhandle with an off-duty police officer from Tennessee.
Samuel Efurd III faces charges of aggravated assault with a motor vehicle, leaving the scene of a crash and reckless driving, Florida Highway Patrol officials said.
On Thursday, Efurd’s vehicle struck a truck driven by Charles Vance, an off-duty police officer from Nashville, Tenn., according to an FHP report. Vance followed Efurd as he fled the scene, then held him at gunpoint until authorities arrived, the report states.
Investigators deemed the crash a “road rage incident,” according to FHP.
Vance said: “I was traveling northbound. I was in the left lane and he was in the right. He cut me off to where I had to slam on my brakes. I’m not sure why he did that. Then he got behind me.” Vance said he slowed down for an interestection and Efurd “just rammed me.”
Jackson County Sheriff John McDaniel said that he had suspended Efurd pending the outcome of the case.
“That is not anything we condone,” McDaniel said. “His version is different from the other person’s. His statement was that he never intentionally bumped anybody.”
Efurd was taken to the Jackson County Jail and had a first court appearance Friday, jail officials said.