Florida teen facing felony charges after allegedly fleeing police

On Behalf of | Aug 5, 2020 | DUI Defense

A 16-year-old Florida boy has been charged with multiple felony counts for allegedly striking four teens with his car while attempting to flee from police. The events in question unfolded in Davenport on the night of July 22. According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, the five teens were attending a party at a vacation home on Cypress Point Boulevard. The teens reportedly fled when deputies arrived at the scene to investigate noise complaints.

According to media reports, the teens were struck by the boy’s Kia sedan as they stood at the end of the driveway. After striking the group, the boy allegedly left the scene at a high rate of speed. The pursuit turned into a foot chase when the boy lost control of his vehicle and crashed about 8 miles from the party house on Deen Still Road. Deputies say that they found him hiding in a warehouse parking lot. According to deputies, the boy displayed signs of intoxication and his breath smelled strongly of alcohol. His blood alcohol level is said to have been .121% at the time.

One of the teens allegedly struck by the boy suffered what were described as life-threatening injuries. A helicopter was called in to fly her to a trauma center in Orlando. Deputies say the boy dragged the girl with his car for about 450 feet. He faces multiple charges of drunk driving, DUI causing serious bodily harm and leaving the scene of an accident.

The facts of this case reveal how unwise it can be to flee from police. Efforts to elude law enforcement end in failure and usually lead to even more serious charges being filed. This is why experienced criminal defense attorneys may advise their clients to cooperate with police while availing themselves of rights provided to them by the U.S. Constitution.