A Florida man is accused of ramming a deputy’s vehicle during a pursuit after deputies said he drove a U-Haul pickup through several lawns in Gulf Breeze.
The Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office said deputies received a report around 11:22 a.m. on Sept. 29 about a man driving a white U-Haul pickup through several lawns on Tibet Drive.
Deputies responded to the area and made contact with the driver, who was later identified as 26-year-old John Charles Newell III.
Newell allegedly drove away after deputies made contact with him, injuring deputies in the process and leading to a pursuit.
The U-Haul Issue
During the pursuit, the sheriff’s office said Newell rammed a deputy’s vehicle near Highway 98 and Kell Road.
The impact disabled the vehicle and caused injuries to the deputy, according to the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office.
The sheriff’s office also said Newell continued driving before eventually losing control of the U-Haul on East Bay Boulevard. He then fled from the vehicle on foot for a short distance before responding deputies detained him.
Three deputies were injured during the incident and transported to a local hospital. The sheriff’s office said all three were in stable condition.
The Charges
Newell was booked into the Santa Rosa County Jail at 3 p.m. on Sept. 29, according to jail records.
He is facing felony charges of aggravated battery and fleeing and eluding police. He is also charged with resisting an officer and a moving traffic violation, both misdemeanors.
Booking information shows the aggravated battery charge was filed under Florida Statute 784.07(2)(d), while the fleeing and eluding charge was filed under Florida Statute 316.1935(3)(b).
Newell’s aggravated battery charge stems from his alleged actions against a law enforcement officer. Florida law elevates aggravated battery against an officer from a second-degree felony to a first-degree felony and provides for a minimum five-year prison sentence upon conviction.
Florida law makes fleeing or eluding a first-degree felony when a driver flees at high speed or with wanton disregard for safety and causes serious bodily injury or death.
Newell is being held without bond.
Still Under Investigation
The sheriff’s office did not release the names of the three injured deputies or provide details about the extent of their injuries beyond saying they were stable.
The incident remains under investigation. The Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office said additional information will be released as it becomes available.
Newell is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.