Clearwater man gets prison for his role in police chase

From the Tampa Bay Times, a local man was sentenced to nine years in prison for his role in an aggravated fleeing and eluding case.

The 22-year-old man pled guilty to multiple charges including grand theft of a motor cehicle, DUI with property damage, fleeing and eluding and child abuse in front of Pinellas circuit court Judge Keith Myers. In addition, the defendant’s driver’s license was also revoked for life.

The chase, which lasted 14 minutes, occurred all through St. Petersburg back on July 9, 2012. The defendant was spotted by members of the Gulfport police department in a stolen SUV and began to chase him to 38th avenue North before looping back south.

The chase ended when the suspect hit a PSTA bus and then crashed into a house. The defendant’s two-year-old son was in the backseat and another passenger was severely injured. This particular case was credited for the reason that the Gulfport police department revamped their chase policies.

Among his many charges, the defendant was charged with child neglect/child abuse even though the child was not beaten or harmed. In Florida (and in Pinellas in particular), a parent driving under the influence of alcohol can be charged with child abuse or neglect as the theory is this puts the child in harm. Every county handles these cases differently. Some state attorney offices will not press forward, while other counties will punish the defendant’s severely for that particular charge.

Have you or a loved one been charged with fleeing and eluding or child abuse? Then call the Clearwater criminal defense lawyers at Blake & Dorsten, P.A. today! These former prosecutors handle all criminal and personal injury cases throughout the gulf coast of Florida including Pinellas, Pasco, Citrus, Hillsborough, Polk, Manatee and Sarasota counties.

To speak with directly with your Pinellas criminal defense attorney click on the contact button or call 727.286.6141. Blake & Dorsten, P.A…when your case matters!