Mark Tyson
Member
Deputy shoots tire to stop reckless, fleeing driver
Copyright 2003 Times Publishing Company
St. Petersburg Times (Florida)
August 25, 2003 Monday
Police Reports+
CRYSTAL RIVER - Deputies chasing a driver initially wanted on a traffic stop were forced to shoot out one of the vehicle's tires after he rammed a cruiser and attempted to flee, with a 2-year-old child and another passenger also inside the car.
The chase started at about 2 p.m. Sunday on Venable Street, when a deputy saw the driver, identified as Steven Wiebe, 35, who was westbound, run a stop sign. A second deputy was eastbound on Venable and came upon the chase.
Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Ronda Hemminger Evan said Wiebe crossed the center line on Venable, forcing the eastbound deputy off the road. The driver got on U.S. 19 and headed south toward Homosassa Springs, with two deputies in pursuit.
Once the chase reached town, the driver ducked into a shopping center and came out on Halls River Road, where he had to stop at a traffic light. The two deputies boxed in the driver with their cruisers, and he put the car in reverse and rammed the cruiser, Evan said.
Deputy Kathy Settles, who was behind the suspect's vehicle, got out of her car with her weapon drawn and issued several commands for the driver to get out.
Then the traffic light changed and the driver advanced. Deputy Settles fired several shots, hitting a rear tire. The driver continued south on U.S. 19, but the chase ended a few miles later at Whispering Pines Mobile Home Park.
Charges against Wiebe include driving with a suspended license, DUI, aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer and child endangerment, Evan said. The passenger in the car was identified as Billy Lilly, 36, who was questioned but not charged. The addresses for Wiebe and Lilly and the child's identity were not available Sunday.
Copyright 2003 Times Publishing Company
St. Petersburg Times (Florida)
August 25, 2003 Monday
Police Reports+
CRYSTAL RIVER - Deputies chasing a driver initially wanted on a traffic stop were forced to shoot out one of the vehicle's tires after he rammed a cruiser and attempted to flee, with a 2-year-old child and another passenger also inside the car.
The chase started at about 2 p.m. Sunday on Venable Street, when a deputy saw the driver, identified as Steven Wiebe, 35, who was westbound, run a stop sign. A second deputy was eastbound on Venable and came upon the chase.
Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Ronda Hemminger Evan said Wiebe crossed the center line on Venable, forcing the eastbound deputy off the road. The driver got on U.S. 19 and headed south toward Homosassa Springs, with two deputies in pursuit.
Once the chase reached town, the driver ducked into a shopping center and came out on Halls River Road, where he had to stop at a traffic light. The two deputies boxed in the driver with their cruisers, and he put the car in reverse and rammed the cruiser, Evan said.
Deputy Kathy Settles, who was behind the suspect's vehicle, got out of her car with her weapon drawn and issued several commands for the driver to get out.
Then the traffic light changed and the driver advanced. Deputy Settles fired several shots, hitting a rear tire. The driver continued south on U.S. 19, but the chase ended a few miles later at Whispering Pines Mobile Home Park.
Charges against Wiebe include driving with a suspended license, DUI, aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer and child endangerment, Evan said. The passenger in the car was identified as Billy Lilly, 36, who was questioned but not charged. The addresses for Wiebe and Lilly and the child's identity were not available Sunday.