Alleged Drunk Driver Plows Into Deputy’s SUV

July 13, 2015

An alleged drunk driver was jailed  after slamming his SUV into an Escambia County Sheriff’s deputy in a marked Tahoe.

Joseph Gavin Merritt, 34, was eastbound on Gulf Beach Highway in a 2003 Chevrolet Suburban about 11:30 Saturday night. Merritt crossed the center line into the path of Deputy William Hallford, 51. Hallford swerved  in an unsuccessful attempt to avoid a collision.

Hallford was transported to Baptist Hospital with minor injuries.

Merritt was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol and refusal to submit to a lawful DUI test. He was later released from the Escambia County Jail on a $1,000 bond.

Comments

6 Responses to “Alleged Drunk Driver Plows Into Deputy’s SUV”

  1. melodies4us on July 13th, 2015 8:27 pm

    What does he do for an enchore?

  2. mick on July 13th, 2015 7:52 pm

    Alleged drunk? refusal to submit to a sobriety test is loss of license, which really doesn’t matter because that won’t stop him from driving anyway. Call it what it is he’s a drunk, he slammed into a LEO.

  3. Bob C. on July 13th, 2015 7:17 pm

    Huh, “… released from the Escambia County Jail on a $1,000 bond.”
    Wonder how many 12-packs that would have bought this chump?

    Thankful that Deputy Hallford not seriously injured and hope for speedy recovery.

  4. Randy on July 13th, 2015 11:32 am

    Wishing for a speedy recovery for Deputy Hallford.

  5. Alex A on July 13th, 2015 9:44 am

    Does Hallford get credit for the arrest. Glad his injuries were minor

  6. Rudy Brown on July 13th, 2015 8:00 am

    Glad the deputy was’nt hurt worse.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News