PANAMA CITY BEACH -- A Panama City Beach man is accused of leading police on a high-speed chase early Sunday morning after nearly striking an officer at an Ironman triathlon site.
Perma Benson, 32, was driving his car eastbound on South Thomas Drive near Shark Lane when he almost hit the officer, according to Panama City Beach police. He was allegedly driving at a high rate of speed, and drove over a curb and struck a fence while fleeing the scene about 2 a.m.
About six law enforcement vehicles from PCB Police and the Bay County Sheriff's Office pursued Benson east on South Thomas, according to witnesses. Benson then turned north onto Thomas Drive, where a BCSO deputy deployed spike strips that punctured Benson's tires. But he continued trying to escape, police reported.
Benson allegedly drove over a parking stop and then backed into a PCB police cruiser after turning into a parking lot near Thomas and Laird Street. That's where he was arrested. No injuries were reported in the incident, and PCB Police Chief Drew Whitman said the police vehicle struck in the incident had minor damage.
The Florida Highway Patrol charged Benson with driving under the influence, open container, improper backing, and driving under the influence with property damage. Benson was also charged by PCB Police with leaving the scene of accident and fleeing and attempting to allude law enforcement. He is being held in Bay County Jail.
Whitman said it was fortunate that no one was hurt in the incident.
"There's always a danger any time there's a chase.There's a danger for guy that’s running from us, and a danger to officers, and a danger to civilians," he said.