Flagler County motorcycle deputy injured in pursuit; driver flees

A Flagler County motorcycle deputy was saved by his helmet when a driver forced him off the road Wednesday.  

Sheriff Rick Staly said the deputy was responding to the scene of a crash at the Interstate 100 gas station on State Road 100 at Interstate 95.

A clerk at the station said the drivers of the 2 vehicles pulled into his lot after an apparent collision on I-95. He said the drivers were in the lot for some time, arguing before the Sheriff’s Office was called to assist.  Staly said when Deputy Bret Wood arrived, one of the motorists began driving away fast.

"As he pulls in, the one driver says, 'hey the car that's leaving is the guy who hit me!'" said Staly.

Wood pursued the vehicle and caught up to the car at the southbound I-95 on ramp. Staly said Wood turned on his lights to pull the vehicle over when the driver of the car hit his breaks suddenly and aggressively. 

"Whether it's a break check, we don't know yet,” said Staly.

Deputy Wood was forced to swerve quickly and wrecked his bike, going head first into the concrete. Staly said Wood’s helmet likely saved his life.

"It actually cracked the inside of his helmet,” he said. “So had that helmet come off, I'd have a very seriously injured if not dead deputy Sheriff today."

Wood is recovering and Staly said will be home for Thanksgiving on Thursday.

Deputies are still searching for the driver of that vehicle described as a white, older-model Buick Rendezvous with a South Carolina license plate.

The driver was described as a white male in his 60s, approximately 5’7” with white hair, wearing a light colored shirt and brown pants. 

Staly said the driver charges from the initial crash and felony charges for leaving the scene of the Deputy’s wreck.

Anyone with information on this case is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Office at 386-313-4911 or call Crimestoppers at 1-888-277-TIPS (8477) to remain anonymous. You may be eligible for a reward up to $1,000.00.