Habitual Traffic Offender That Hit Deputy’s Cruiser Is Sentenced

February 1, 2014

A convicted habitual traffic offender has been sentenced to 12 months probation after hitting an Escambia County deputy’s cruiser during an April traffic stop near Bratt.

The deputy stopped 31-year old Willie Wade Steverson of Atmore  for speeding on West Highway 4 at Canoe Creek, about 2.5 miles east of Northview High School, about 8:20 a.m. on April 18.  Steverson stopped his Mitsubishi Galant on a moderate incline, several feet in front of the deputy, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.  At some point, Steverson removed his foot from his brake, and his vehicle rolled backwards into the deputy’s cruiser.

Steverson was arrested for driving with a suspended license as a habitual traffic offender, a felony charge. After a no contest plea, Judge Joel W. Boles withheld adjudication in sentencing  Steverson to 12 months probation and ordering him to pay $568 in costs and fees.

A short time after being sentenced to probation, Steverson was arrested again on third degree  petit theft charges. Now he’s facing a violation of probation hearing next month in the traffic accident case in addition to the theft charge.

There were no injuries in the accident. Damage to the deputy’s cruiser was unnoticeable, while Steverson’s vehicle suffered only very minor damage.

Pictured: A convicted habitual traffic offender was jailed in April after his vehicle rolled backwards into an Escambia County deputy’s cruiser on West Highway 4 at Canoe Creek. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.

Comments

4 Responses to “Habitual Traffic Offender That Hit Deputy’s Cruiser Is Sentenced”

  1. BentStraight on February 4th, 2014 7:46 am

    The system makes money off of probation cases and loses money om jail sentences . . . that’s why

  2. JT on February 1st, 2014 2:11 pm

    Oh yeah he learned his lesson. Your record is so horrible by the time Florida labels you habitual that if your still driving then nothing is goin to stop you but jail.

  3. Don on February 1st, 2014 1:33 pm

    How can “probation” be a deterent for repeat offenders? they know if they violate they will just get more PROBATION and their soooooo scared………

  4. mike on February 1st, 2014 1:15 pm

    I hope they throw the book at him.