McDavid Man On Ride-along With Escambia Deputy Injured; Hit And Run Driver Charged

October 6, 2019

A young McDavid man on a ride-along with an Escambia County Sheriff’s deputy was injured in a hit and run crash Saturday afternoon.

The Florida Highway Patrol said 21-year old Benjamin Preston of McDavid was injured as a result of the crash and was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital. He was participating in a ride-along with Deputy A. Nichols about 4:30 Saturday when the crash happened at West Jackson Street and North Green Street.

The deputy was responding to a call when 29-year old Gary Daniel York of Pensacola pulled away from a stop sign and failed to yield right of way to deputy, troopers said. York’s Hyundai Santa Fe collided with the deputy’s Tahoe before the Tahoe collided with a tree and a fence.

Preston was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital. Family members said he suffered a minor cut on his face and was treated and released. Nichols suffered minor injuries but was not transported to the hospital.

Both Preston and the deputy were wearing the seatbelts.

After the wreck, York and two passengers fled from the scene. York (pictured) was captured by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office hiding in an abandoned house a block away. The identities of the other two passengers are unknown.

York was charged with leaving the scene of a serious bodily injury, felony driving with a suspended license, felony burglary, and  felony criminal mischief with property damage. He remained in the Escambia County Jail Sunday with bond set at $16,000.

Comments

4 Responses to “McDavid Man On Ride-along With Escambia Deputy Injured; Hit And Run Driver Charged”

  1. Bob C. on October 7th, 2019 12:41 pm

    Gary York, do you just not have good sense?
    Why would you pull out in front of a Deputy’s vehicle?
    And, hey, just for your information, Suspended License means you are not to be driving any vehicle of any sort for any reason.
    Not sure there is a Reality Check for you.
    GROW the Heck UP….

    Happy the deputy is okay and many thoughts and prayers for Ben Preston.

  2. Tee bug on October 7th, 2019 9:19 am

    Didn’t I see this guy play on the movie deliverance I did I did I know I did

  3. danny bolton on October 7th, 2019 6:30 am

    Ben, I hope you are feeling better.

  4. JT on October 6th, 2019 8:47 pm

    Looks like a deer in headlights.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News