Woman Tries to Steal Police Car During DUI Arrest
A traffic stop on a Florida evening begins with an officer noticing a driving violation. What initially appears to be a routine roadside investigation soon becomes much more complicated as the deputy begins questioning the driver and notices signs that alcohol may be involved.
The encounter eventually leads to an arrest. But the situation does not end when the handcuffs go on. THE SUSPECT FINDS AN UNEXPECTED WAY TO TRY TO ESCAPE, turning a DUI arrest into a completely different kind of police incident.
THE TRAFFIC STOP BEGINS
According to reports, the incident began when a deputy spotted the vehicle after a traffic violation involving a red light. The deputy suspected that the driver had been drinking and began investigating further.
The driver was identified as Sara Ashley Kirksey, then 24 years old. After the deputy conducted field-sobriety exercises, authorities determined that there was probable cause to arrest her on suspicion of DUI.
At that point, the encounter should have been moving toward a standard arrest procedure.
Instead, things were about to become much more complicated.
THE ARREST APPEARS TO BE UNDER CONTROL
Kirksey was placed in handcuffs and put inside the back seat of the deputy's patrol vehicle.
With the suspect secured, the deputy's attention shifted to completing the arrest process. But while officers were dealing with the situation, THE SUSPECT MANAGED TO GET OUT OF HER HANDCUFFS.
According to the reports, she then moved through the divider area and made her way toward the driver's seat.
What happened next was unexpected.
SHE GOES FOR THE PATROL CAR
Kirksey reportedly reached the driver's seat and PUT THE PATROL CAR INTO DRIVE.
For a moment, the situation looked like it could turn into an actual police-vehicle theft and pursuit. But the deputy reacted quickly and managed to stop the vehicle before she could successfully escape.
The attempted escape immediately created another confrontation.
Instead of simply remaining in custody, the suspect was now accused of trying to take control of the deputy's vehicle. A DUI ARREST HAD SUDDENLY TURNED INTO AN ESCAPE ATTEMPT.
THE DEPUTY HAS TO STOP HER
The deputy's quick reaction prevented the patrol car from getting away.
But the confrontation did not end there.
According to the reports, Kirksey then allegedly STRUCK THE DEPUTY MULTIPLE TIMES WITH A CLOSED FIST, adding an alleged physical assault to an already escalating situation.
The deputy now had to deal with both the attempted escape and the alleged assault while trying to regain control of the suspect.
THE ARREST HAD BECOME A PHYSICAL STRUGGLE.
MORE PROBLEMS EMERGE
Investigators also reportedly discovered that the woman had provided the deputy with a false name and date of birth during the initial encounter.
That meant the incident involved more than the original DUI investigation.
According to the reporting, Kirksey faced allegations including DUI, BATTERY ON A LAW-ENFORCEMENT OFFICER, RESISTING AN OFFICER, PROVIDING FALSE IDENTIFICATION, AND ESCAPE. These were reported charges, not a finding of guilt.
What started with a traffic violation had now developed into a much more serious encounter.
FROM DUI STOP TO POLICE CAR ESCAPE ATTEMPT
The unusual part of this case is the sequence of events.
The deputy initially stopped the driver over a traffic violation. The investigation then developed into a DUI arrest. Once Kirksey was placed in the patrol vehicle, however, she allegedly managed to free herself from the handcuffs and move into the driver's seat.
THE ATTEMPT TO DRIVE AWAY LASTED ONLY MOMENTS, because the deputy was able to stop the vehicle before she could successfully flee.
The confrontation that followed added another serious allegation to the case.
CONCLUSION
What began as a ROUTINE DUI INVESTIGATION quickly became an extraordinary police encounter.
According to reports based on the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office account, Sara Ashley Kirksey was arrested on suspicion of DUI, escaped her handcuffs, climbed into the front of the patrol car, and attempted to drive away before the deputy stopped her. She was then accused of striking the deputy during the confrontation.
THE PATROL CAR NEVER GOT FAR — BUT THE ATTEMPT TURNED A DUI ARREST INTO A MUCH MORE SERIOUS CASE.
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