South Daytona, FL - South Daytona police say a 29-year-old man is in custody after officers found him crashing into someone's car while driving under the influence.
A report from the South Daytona Police Department (SDPD) says officers saw a white silver Dodge pickup truck intentionally hitting another vehicle at the intersection of Nova Road and Beville Road late Sunday night (March 21). Both vehicles were in the northbound lanes of Nova just before the intersection during the incident.
According to the report, the truck—operated by 29-year-old Cory Thiess—took off and drove eastbound down Beville as soon as police arrived at the intersection. An officer then followed and attempted a traffic stop on Thiess, but he failed to slow down and appeared to have picked up speed as his driving became more erratic.
Eventually, Thiess turned southbound down Lockhart Road, which is when the officer turned off his lights and sirens and turned in the opposite direction of Thiess.
Police later found Thiess' vehicle and made contact with him as he sat in his vehicle near his Magnolia Road home. After officers conducted another traffic stop, Thiess admitted to drinking alcohol prior to the crash at Nova and Beville and also admitted to running from police and crashing into the victim intentionally.
Officers additionally conducted a series of field sobriety tests on Thiess, which included a breathalyzer test. According to SDPD's report, Thiess blew a 0.143 and 0.138 on two tests, which are both almost twice the legal limit of 0.08. Police also noted that Thiess had bloodshot and watery eyes and had the smell of alcohol coming from his breath. His speech was also slurred and mumbled.
Thiess was charged with fleeing or attempting to elude, leaving the scene of a crash involving damage, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, driving under the influence, and DUI with damage to a person or property.
He was booked into the Volusia County Branch Jail on Monday (March 22nd) and currently remains in custody with bond set at $20,500.
