Largo, Florida. A man driving a Ford escort crashed into a Pinellas County Sheriff's cruiser. The accident occurred at 2:29 p.m., at the intersection of Walsingham and Vonn roads. The driver of the escort, 35-year old Steven Pate, was arrested on allegations of DUI, DUI with property damage, DUI bodily injury, habitual driving on a suspended or revoked license and refusal to submit to a breath test. Both Pate and the Sheriff, 32-year old Kelly Antolini, were taken to the hospital for the treatment of injuries resulting from the crash. Pate is still waiting on a hearing to set bond and remains in the Pinellas County Jail.
I do not represent Steven Pate, nor do I possess information that may jeopardize attorney/client privileges. I am a Tampa DUI Defense Lawyer whose firm has over 100 years of combined legal experience. The three DUI charges against the Defendant are considered separate and stem from this one accident. Mr. Pate's driver's license obviously was suspended at the time of the crash, resulting in the charge of habitual driving while on a suspended or revoked license. The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office police report states that the Defendant verbally refused to submit to a breathalyzer test after the crash; refusing a breathalyzer test is against the law in the State of Florida.
The Defendant is facing serious criminal charges for his accident with the patrol officer. Based on the information I possess, his bond will be over $6,000 and handed a strong sentence, if he is convicted on all the charges. DUI charges can easily add up and they are difficult to understand. Contact an experienced Tampa DUI Lawyer to challenge the case against you. A knowledgeable Tampa DUI Defense Attorney will stand in your corner, separate the facts from fiction and fight on your behalf.
