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Driver Accused Of Odd Behavior

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By LISA A. DAVIS

ldavis@tampatrib.com

Published: December 4, 2008

  Stephen Wilomovsky

NEW PORT RICHEY - Michael DeMatteo, a sheriff's office Citizen Service Unit volunteer, noticed the gold Honda SUV driving erratically on Starkey Road on Wednesday afternoon and then watched as it suddenly halted in the middle of the road.

DeMatteo put on the yellow caution lights of his marked Pasco County Sheriff's Office vehicle and pulled up behind the SUV, according to a sheriff's office report. The driver had jumped out of his vehicle and ran after an armadillo in the road.

DeMatteo told the driver to move the SUV because it was obstructing traffic, according to a report. But instead of complying the man swore at him and made an obscene gesture. That's when DeMatteo called for deputy assistance. The motorist became irate, the report states, and then jumped back into his SUV and sped away, hitting DeMatteo with his driver's-side mirror as he drove.

DeMatteo wasn't injured.

DeMatteo followed the driver until deputies identified him through his SUV's tag. Deputies and Florida Highway Patrol troopers then went to Stephen Wilomovsky's home at 5221 Wellfield Road, New Port Richey, and confronted him.

When he answered the door he smelled of alcohol and urine, according to the report. When the troopers questioned him about striking DeMatteo, he tried to run away, the report states.

Wilomovsky, 65, was being held Thursday at the Land O' Lakes jail on charges of aggravated battery and resisting an officer without violence. Bail was set at $2,650.

Reporter Lisa A. Davis can be reached at (727) 815-1083.

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