 |
An Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Deputy who tried to pull over a man driving 80 miles an hour in a residential area says the driver not only refused to stop, but committed a hit and run, wrecked his car, and was then found to have cocaine in his possession.
Around 7 a.m. Friday morning, an OCSO deputy spotted 26-year old Jonathan Holcomb of Freeport driving 80 mph on Azalea Drive in Destin. The speed limit in that area is 30 mph.
The driver fled when the deputy attempted a traffic stop. While trying to make his getaway, Holcomb hit a vehicle on Calhoun Avenue and kept going. The driver of the damaged car complained of both back and head injuries as a result of the collision.
A helpful citizen flagged down the deputy at the intersection of Calhoun Avenue and Kelly Street to relay that he saw the driver on the run crash into a nearby wooded lot. The car then caught fire.
Deputies quickly set up a perimeter and called in a K9 Team to assist in a search. Holcomb heard the K9 announcement and emerged from his hiding place to walk towards deputies on Calhoun Avenue. He was then taken into custody without incident. A search turned up a baggie of cocaine in his pants pocket.
Holcomb is charged with leaving the scene of an accident with injury and property damage, fleeing and eluding at high speed, possession of cocaine, and driving with a suspended license.
Deputies also arrested 24-year old Jessica Ramsey of Niceville, a passenger in Holcomb’s car. Ramsey was tracked by the K9 team to a sport where she was hiding behind bushes and debris at 407 Calhoun Avenue.
She is charged with loitering and prowling.
###
