Florida Troopers bust wrong-way driver with DUI, holding counterfeit bills, much more
On Monday morning, Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) Troopers received information that a dark colored sedan was traveling southbound in the northbound lane of State Road 589. As FHP responded, Deputies with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) advised they located a vehicle matching the description and were attempting to conduct a traffic stop.
The suspect vehicle then fled, leaving the Deputies to follow while providing location updates.
Responding Troopers then observed the vehicle 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.
Troopers attempted to initiate a traffic stop using lights and sirens; however, the vehicle took evasive action and tried to flee.
After successfully employing a Precision Immobilization Technique (PIT) maneuver to stop the vehicle, the driver refused to exit and was removed from the car and placed in handcuffs. While questioning the driver, he first provided a false name before troopers could verify his name and date of birth through his driver’s license. Eventually, the driver was identified as Billy Wayne Spencer of Tampa, Florida.
Tropers said that the driver had a strong smell of alcohol emanating from him, which only grew stronger as he spoke. His eyes were also bloodshot and glassy.
Upon asking Spencer if he would participate in a standard field sobriety test, he refused. Spencer also declined to provide a breath sample or answer any further questions. Noting the refusal, Troopers transported the driver to Orient Road Jail in Hillsborough County.
During the intake process, 19 20-dollar bills identified as counterfeit were found in the driver’s property.
Following his arrest, Billy Wayne Spencer was 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
See: Billy Wayne Spencer – Arrest Report
Officials recommend that if you encounter a wrong-way driver, or a driver who is displaying dangerous behavior such as an inability to maintain their vehicle in one lane, excessive or low speeds or lack of ability to control their vehicle, to:
- Use caution.
- Reduce your speed.
- Pull over.
- Call *FHP (347) or dial 911 to report.
Below, check out the dashcam video of the PIT Maneuver used by the FHP to stop Spencer’s vehicle.
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(Source: Florida Highway Patrol)
Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today / Follow Richard on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram
