YOUNGSTOWN — A Panama City man is in police custody after allegedly fleeing law enforcement and crashing into a deputy’s cruiser, the Florida Highway Patrol announced Wednesday.
Lyle David Kirkpatrick, 41, was driving a 2005 Kia Sorento east on State 20 Tuesday at about 8:50 p.m. while allegedly fleeing the Bay County Sheriff’s Office.
Kirkpatrick drove from the westbound lane through the eastbound lane, and onto the grass shoulder. He then attempted to re-enter the eastbound lane, continuing westbound, FHP reported.
A deputy then tried to go around Kirkpatrick in order to get in front and prevent him from continuing westbound in the eastbound lane. When the deputy maneuvered to the side of the Kia, Kirkpatrick hit his brakes and swerved right, causing the deputy to strike the car’s rear, FHP said.
Officials reported that the deputy again attempted to position his patrol vehicle ahead of Kirkpatrick, but Kirkpatrick intentionally swerved right twice, striking the cruiser on the left side on both occasions.
Kirkpatrick was finally stopped and BCSO took him into custody, and he was taken to the Bay County Jail.
Among the charges associated with fleeing arrest and battery on a law enforcement officer, Kirkpatrick was charged with domestic battery by strangulation and harassing a victim or witness, according to court documents.
Kirkpatrick made a first appearance in court Wednesday.