Fleeing driver accused in death of motorcyclist held without bail

A 21-year-old woman will remain behind bars without bail on charges she escaped from deputies while handcuffed and then led them on a chase that ended when she crashed and killed a motorcyclist, a Hernando County judge said Wednesday.

Brittany Miles, whose father is a Hernando County sheriff's deputy, was unemotional Wednesday during her first court appearance. She has been charged with first-degree murder, fleeing to elude, escape and attempted murder on a law enforcement officer.

Miles escaped the custody of a Pasco sheriff's deputy during a traffic stop shortly after 7 a.m. Tuesday at the corner of U.S. 19 and Florestate Drive in Hudson, said sheriff's spokesman Kevin Doll.

Miles was handcuffed, seated in a patrol car and in the custody of Pasco Deputy Ashley Grady for more than an hour before darting out of the patrol car and getting back in her Dodge Ram pickup, which probably had the key in the ignition, Doll said.

She headed north along U.S. 19 toward Spring Hill. Grady held onto the pickup in an effort to stop Miles from escaping, but she was dragged more than 100 yards before falling onto the road.

Grady, who has been with the sheriff's office since July 2010, suffered a broken ankle and tibia and head lacerations, Doll said.

Doll was unsure how Miles got away while still in handcuffs, but he said it is part of an internal affairs investigation.

Deputies pursued Miles in an 8-mile chase into Spring Hill, Doll said.

Miles ran a red light at the County Line Road intersection, slamming into Henry McCain's motorcycle.

McCain died at the scene, the Florida Highway Patrol said.

Miles, whose pickup tires had gone flat, stopped a short distance south of Spring Hill Drive. She got out of the truck and ran before deputies apprehended her.

Doll said witnesses reported seeing Miles with the handcuffs dangling off one wrist as she was taken into custody.

McCain was a longtime funeral director at Dobies Funeral Home in Hudson. He was married and had two grown children.

Employees will remember McCain's strength and even-keeled demeanor, which was perfect for someone in the funeral business, said funeral home owner Tom Dobies.

"He had a soft mannerism," Dobies said. "He was very good with families. He never got riled."

wholt@hernandotoday.com

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