FLORIDA – The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) said it stopped a wrong-way driver after he fled from an attempted traffic stop with his car smoking and tires falling off.
According to the arrest report, among other charges, Billy Wayne Spencer of Tampa has been charged with Driving Under the Influence and Possession of Ten or More Counterfeit Bills.
The FHP said it happened this way: Shortly after 1 a.m. on Monday, FHP troopers received information that a dark-colored sedan was traveling southbound in the northbound lane of State Road 589 near mile marker four in Hillsborough County.
As the FHP responded, deputies with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) advised that they located a vehicle matching the description and attempted to conduct a traffic stop. However, the vehicle allegedly fled. Deputies followed and provided location updates to the FHP.
Responding troopers said they observed a vehicle with the same description traveling east on State Road 580 approaching the intersection of North Armenia Avenue.
“The car appeared to be smoking, and the front tires were falling off; the vehicle’s driving pattern was unstable and indicative of driver impairment,” the FHP said.
According to the FHP, troopers attempted to initiate a traffic stop using lights and sirens; however, the vehicle allegedly took evasive action and tried to flee.
The FHP said troopers stopped the vehicle using a Precision Immobilization Technique (PIT) maneuver, a pursuit tactic in which a pursuing vehicle forces a fleeing vehicle to turn sideways, causing the driver to lose control and stop.
Spencer refused to exit and was removed from the car and placed in handcuffs, the FHP said.
According to the FHP, Spencer first provided a false name before troopers could verify his true identity and date of birth through his driver license.
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The FHP said Spencer refused a standard field sobriety test and declined to provide a breath sample or answer any further questions. Troopers transported him to Orient Road Jail in Hillsborough County.
During the intake process, 19 20-dollar bills identified as counterfeit were allegedly found with the driver’s property.
According to the arrest report, Spencer is charged with the following:
- Resisting Officer without Violence, misdemeanor
- False Name to a Law Enforcement Officer, misdemeanor
- Possession of Ten or More Counterfeit Bills, felony
- Driving Under the Influence, misdemeanor
- Refusal to Submit to Testing, misdemeanor
- Felony Fleeing to Elude, felony
