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Deputies find woman who escaped from Pasco cruiser

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By LISA A. DAVIS | The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 27, 2009

Updated: 07/27/2009 12:52 pm

Amanda Driggers

LAND O' LAKES - Amanda Driggers performed a disappearing act that Houdini, or even David Blaine, could be proud of these days.

A Pasco County warrants corporal arrested Driggers at her home in Zephyrhills on Sunday night on charges of a violation of a probation. At some point, the deputy learned she had apparently ingested several pills, and she started complaining about chest pains and trouble breathing so she was taken to a local hospital and medically cleared before continuing the journey to jail.

About 10:30 p.m., the corporal pulled into the sally port, a secured garage area to move prisoners safely from the patrol car to booking, and when he looked in the back seat, Driggers was gone. The only thing left behind were a pair of locked handcuffs sitting on the seat, sheriff's office spokesman Kevin Doll said.

Apparently, she somehow slipped out of the cuffs and pulled back the door panel, exposing the locking mechanism, and dashed out of the cruiser unnoticed, Doll said.

While en route to the Land O' Lakes Jail, the deputy, whose name hasn't been released, heard a noise that got his attention.

"He said he heard what sound like a faint ripping sound emanating from the back," Doll said.

Driggers, however, explained that she was ripping off a bandage from the hospital that was irritating her skin, so the corporal drove on.

When he reached State Road 52 preparing to turn south on U.S. 41 to the jail, he stopped for the red light, sitting idle for about 30 seconds or so, Doll said. That could have been when she dashed.

"She somehow got out of the car," Doll said.

She had been handcuffed in the front, rather than in back, Doll said because of her medical issues. Sheriff Bob White said he wouldn't be surprised if Driggers had a handcuff key and then relocked the handcuffs before making her escape.

Driggers was found by 11 this morning. Somehow Driggers made her way to a relative's home in Lacoochee. She was then driven to a home in Dade City, then another person drove her to Zephyrhills, where she was found passed out a porch.

She hasn't told deputies how she vanished.

"She's not being cooperative," Doll said.

In addition to her charges of violation of probation, stemming from burglary, grand theft and possession of marijuana charges, Driggers will likely be charged with escape. She is being booked into the Land O' Lakes Jail.

Doll said the corporal isn't new to law enforcement.

"He's an experience deputy," he said.

He will likely face an internal investigation, Doll said.

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

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