Florida Keys deputy is hurt while trying to stop 120 mph U.S. 1 chase: police
A Florida Keys deputy was hospitalized after being injured while trying to stop a man racing down U.S. 1 at over 100 mph while high or drunk Wednesday, authorities say.
Aaron Scout Tipsword, 25, is facing charges of DUI causing serious bodily injury, fleeing and eluding, resisting arrest, dangerous/excessive speeding, criminal mischief with property damage, possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office said.
Throughout Tuesday night, Monroe County Sheriff’s Office deputies interacted with Tipsword several times due to his “erratic behavior.” Authorities did not say exactly what he was doing or how they met him.
However, the sheriff’s office did say a family member called for a welfare check and he did not meet the criteria to be involuntary Baker Act-ed.
According to Florida’s Fifth Judicial Circuit, deputies can temporarily detain a person for mental-health services if: they believe the person is mentally ill and because of this refused voluntary examination; the person is unable to determine for themselves if they need care; and if there is “substantial likelihood” that the person would cause serious bodily injury to themselves or others in the near future.
Around 5:30 a.m. Wednesday, deputies saw Tipsword driving a Honda SUV on Big Pine Key. He stopped and continued to show the same “unusual behavior” that deputies said they saw earlier.
“His speech pattern was abnormal; he had difficulty completing sentences and was wearing a heavy jacket and gloves despite warm temperatures,” the sheriff’s office said.
Tipsword refused to give his driver’s license and instead sped away. He reached speeds of around 120 mph, dangerously passing cars and driving recklessly, deputies said,
His car was spiked several times as he raced along U.S. 1. As one deputy deployed spike strips, she injured her hand. She was taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami.
Tipsword eventually struck a boulder and was arrested. He was taken to jail, where he remains Wednesday night.
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