Florida

Why did I run the stop sign, officer? The insect did it!

Miami Herald
The World of Giant Insects at Miami Metrozoo impresses visitors with its animated robotic insects, enlarged 40 to 600 times their actual size, on Saturday, Feb. 6, 2010, at the exhibit open through Aug. 1.
The World of Giant Insects at Miami Metrozoo impresses visitors with its animated robotic insects, enlarged 40 to 600 times their actual size, on Saturday, Feb. 6, 2010, at the exhibit open through Aug. 1. Allison Diaz Miami Herald File

Cops have heard all kind of excuses during traffic stops. Broken speedometer. Sun blocked the traffic light. Yadda, yadda.

But one Florida officer heard this one last week: “A fly or something flew into my mouth and that’s why I didn’t stop.”

The intersection insect wasn’t the only problem. The driver, stopped for running a stop sign in Fort Walton Beach, gave the officer a fake name, according to nwfdailynews.com.

Marquise Tishawn Mercer, 33, was taken into custody. Officers discovered he has an active warrant and is a habitual traffic offender, according to the report.

This story was originally published October 16, 2016 at 1:21 PM with the headline "Why did I run the stop sign, officer? The insect did it!."

Get unlimited digital access
#ReadLocal

Try 1 month for $1

CLAIM OFFER