Motorcyclist dead, deputy hurt after driver flees traffic stop

A woman pulled over for suspected reckless driving managed to drive away while handcuffed, dragging a Pasco County deputy across three lanes of traffic before hitting and killing a motorcyclist just across the county line in Hernando, deputies said.

The incident started about 7:20 a.m. Tuesday when Pasco County Deputy Ashley Grady pulled over Brittany Miles on U.S. 19 at Florestate Drive in Hudson, the Pasco sheriff's office said. After being handcuffed, Miles got back into her Dodge Ram pickup and drove off with Grady reaching in the window to try to stop her.

The truck crossed northbound U.S. 19, and Grady fell off in the southbound lanes, the sheriff's office said.

Grady suffered head injuries and abrasions and was flown to a hospital. She is expected to recover.

Pasco sheriff's office spokesman Kevin Doll would not provide details about how Miles escaped Grady's custody and managed to drive away while in handcuffs.

Miles, 21, drove north and ran a red light at County Line Road and U.S. 19 in Hernando County, the Florida Highway Patrol said. The pickup collided with a Suzuki motorcycle that was heading west through the intersection.

The motorcyclist, Henry F. McCain, 66, of Spring Hill, died at the scene.

Miles, of 4550 Bridgewater Club Loop in Spring Hill, continued north on flat tires before driving off the road at Beverly Court in Spring Hill. She tried to run away but was caught by Pasco deputies, troopers said.

Carol Musco, co-owner of Heavenly Hair in the shopping plaza at U.S. 19 and County Line Road, heard sirens as she pulled into the parking lot.

Moments later, she and others heard the pickup collide with the motorcycle.

"The next thing we know we heard a bang," Musco said. "We're very fortunate that nobody was leaving the plaza at the same time. I do pray for the family who just lost someone."

McCain was a funeral director at Dobies Funeral Home in Hudson. He had recently reduced his hours to part time as he prepared for retirement, said Thomas Dobies, the funeral home owner.

Dobies described McCain, the father of two grown children, as soft spoken, calm and kind hearted.

"We've lost a good staff member; we've lost a good man," Dobies said.

Miles was treated for minor injuries at Oak Hill Hospital. She was later booked at the Hernando County Jail.

Pasco County arrested her on charges of fleeing to elude, and escape and two charges of a felony act that could cause death. The highway patrol arrested her on one charge of homicide, murder while engaged in certain felony offense.

Miles was arrested in Pasco on April 25 on a possession of methamphetamine charge, authorities said. She was released on $5,000 bail. Details of the arrest were not available.

Records show Miles has received seven driving citations in Hernando since April 2007. She has paid a total of $649 in fines, as well as driving school and court costs. She has had to have her license reinstated twice for failure to pay fines on time.

Tribune reporter Neil Johnson and News Channel 8 reporter Peter Bernard contributed to this report.

wholt@hernandotoday.com

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