SUWANNEE COUNTY, Fla. (WTXL) - Deputies say they recovered nearly a pound of meth and $24,500 in cash after a deputy was dragged during a traffic stop gone wrong.
The Suwannee County Sheriff's Office says that the incident started when a deputy pulled over a car that ran a stop sign on Saturday.
They say the deputy saw the vehicle run a stop sign at the intersection of U.S. 27 and Express Street and conducted a traffic stop. The three people inside were asked to exit the car during the investigation.
However, SCSO says one of the back-seat passengers, 43-year-old Reginal Byrd Jr., hopped in the driver's seat.
The arresting deputy tried to stop Bryd, but he punched the deputy and grabbed him by his arm, dragging him down the road.
The report says the deputy tried to tase Byrd, but was unsuccessful. Eventually, Byrd let go of the deputy, causing the deputy to fall to the ground while the car was moving at about 30 mph.
Byrd kept going, driving east on U.S. 27 at a high speed. SCSO says the arresting deputy was able to get back up and follow Byrd on U.S. 27.
During the chase, deputies say Byrd threw out a large bag out the window before stopping the car at the intersection of U.S. 27 and C.R. 49.
Byrd got out of the car and tried to run away, but the arresting deputy was able to catch him. With the assistance of back up, the deputy was finally able to take Byrd into custody.
The arresting deputy survived the encounter with minor injuries.
When deputies found the bag Byrd had thrown out of the car, they discovered it contained approximately 368 grams of methamphetamine and approximately $24,500 in cash.
Reginal was transported to the Suwannee County Jail where he is charged with:
- Tampering with evidence
- Fleeing and Eluding
- Battery on Law Enforcement
- Resting Arrest with Violence
- Trafficking of Methamphetamine
- Theft of Law Enforcement equipment
Reginal’s bond has been set at $85,000.
