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Driver Arrested For DUI After Hitting Unmarked Patrol Car

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By MIKE WELLS | The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 21, 2008

  James Ferguson

A Clearwater man was arrested early today on suspicion of drunk driving after he crashed his car into an unmarked patrol car assigned to the sergeant of the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office's DUI Enforcement Unit.

The crash occurred just before 1 a.m. in the 2300 block of Gulf to Bay Boulevard in Clearwater. Sgt. Michael Peasley Jr. was supervising deputies conducting two unrelated DUI investigations, officials said.

Peasley was sitting in the patrol car and ran from the unmarked Dodge Intrepid patrol car just prior to impact after realizing that a Ford Escort was quickly approaching from behind and did not appear to be stopping.

According to deputies, 21-year-old James Michael Ferguson was driving east in the inside lane about 40 mph when he hit the rear of Peasley's car.

There were no other cars in the eastbound lanes at the time of the crash and the patrol car had its emergency lights activated, officials said.

No injuries were reported, but both vehicles sustained heavy damage. Deputies found a 12-pack of beer inside the suspect's car, officials said.

Ferguson was arrested on one count each of driving under the influence, driving under the influence involving property damage and improper use of a dealer tag.

He submitted to a breath test at the jail and his alcohol level was determined to be more than twice the legal limit of 0.08 percent, officials said.

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