Man arrested for fleeing in DUI case

A 48-year-old Sugarloaf Key man was arrested early Friday morning after fleeing from a Deputy and crashing into a utility pole.

Jerry Earl Phelps was charged with fleeing and eluding, two counts of resisting arrest, DUI and DUI with property damage.  

                                                                                          

Deputy Ty Torres was on patrol at 3:16 a.m. on Palm Avenue on Big Pine Key when red, Ford F-250 drove by him on Key Deer Boulevard at a high rate of speed. Deputy Torres pulled onto Key Deer Boulevard and noticed the truck had neither rear tail lights nor tag lights. Deputy Torres activated his lights and sirens. The truck braked initially, but then continued at a high rate of speed down the road.

Deputy Torres followed the truck for approximately .6 of a mile before the truck attempted to make a right turn on Big Pine Street. The truck crashed into a wooden power pole. The truck’s front end was heavily damaged in the crash.

Deputy Torres drew his service weapon and ordered the driver, later identified as Phelps, out of the truck. Deputy Brandon White arrived on scene.

Phelps did not initially exit the vehicle, and when he did, he did not obey commands to turn around and get on the ground. Phelps raised his arms and began screaming as to why guns were pointed at him. Deputy Torres grabbed Phelps’ arm, put him on the ground and handcuffed him.

Paramedics were called to examine Phelps. Phelps told Deputy White he had consumed eight, 10 milligram tablets of valium that night and three tablets in the last 30 minutes. Phelps’ breath also smelled of alcohol.

Phelps had a blood alcohol level of .167. The legal limit in Florida is .08.

Phelps was taken to jail.