- November 1, 2024
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Deputies arrested a man on Saturday, March, 9, who was determined to be driving under the influence with his 14-year-old grandson as a passenger, according to a news release by the Flagler County Sheriff's Office.
FCSO received a call from a concerned citizen who reported a driver in a green truck that was weaving in and out of traffic lanes. Deputies located a vehicle matching the description traveling southbound on U.S. 1 at a high rate of speed, swerving through the grass median and driving into oncoming traffic. Deputies initiated a traffic stop and the driver, 58 year-old Michael Bennett, abruptly stopped.
When deputies approached the vehicle, they discovered Bennett had his 14-year-old grandson as a passenger. Bennett told deputies that he was coming from Daytona and heading to Palatka and was unaware that he was heading in the wrong direction.
Bennet took a field sobriety test, and deputies determined that Bennett was driving under the influence and was immediately arrested.
Bennett was taken to the Flagler County Jail without incident and was charged with driving under the influence and child neglect. The grandson was released to his mother at the scene.
“We have zero tolerance for driving under the influence in Flagler County,” Sheriff Rick Staly said in a release. “This guy thought it was a good idea to spend the evening drinking in Daytona and then get behind the wheel of his car. He did not just endanger himself, but his own grandson and every other person on the roadways with him. Thankfully, someone noticed his dangerous driving and notified us before anyone was injured or killed. Let this be a warning, if you are going to drive drunk in Flagler County you will be arrested.”
